Surname Kevelighan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kevelighan: What does the surname Kevelighan mean?
The last name Kevelighan is an Irish surname, derived from the Irish phrase "Mac an Mhillighan", which means "son of the tall one". The name is most common in the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland. It is also sometimes found in Scotland and other English speaking countries.
The Kevelighans are believed to have come from the MacAnMhillighan family, which is a branch of the O'Neill clan. This clan was very powerful in medieval times and dates back to 1066.
In Ireland, the Kevelighan family is known to have been involved in politics, the church and the military. They are known to have produced successful businessmen, scholars and professionals, and have a long history of leadership.
The Kevelighans are distinguished in Ireland as a family of great wealth and also great generosity. They were known to have supported many schools, churches and charities. They were also well known for their hospitality and philanthropy.
Today, the name carries the same connotations as it did hundreds of years ago. The Kevelighans continue to make their mark in Ireland and in other English-speaking countries, providing leadership and contributing to their communities.
Order DNA origin analysisKevelighan: Where does the name Kevelighan come from?
The last name Kevelighan is an Irish surname, and remains common in Ireland today. It originated in County Sligo, where a large number of people bearing the name currently reside. It is also found in other counties in Ireland, including Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Cork, Kerry, and Clare.
Kevelighan is also found in other parts of the world due to migrations of Irish people, and so is prevalent in many parts of the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The surname is also fairly common in Canada, due to the country's connection with the United Kingdom and its large Irish population.
Given the population density of Ireland, many Kevelighans still live in close proximity to where the name first emerged. This is particularly true in the northwest parts of the country.
Given the background of the name and the family-oriented culture of the Irish, Kevelighans all over the world remain connected through shared heritage they can trace back to their homeland. Those who choose to discover and dig in to their history can uncover a rich legacy and create a tangible connection to the family members in Ireland that made the name so prominent today.
Variations of the surname Kevelighan
Kevelighan is an uncommon Irish surname of Norman origin. It is also known by slight variations such as Kelvingan, Kealaghan, Kelaghan, Keelahan and Keelahan, among others. All of these surnames are derived from a Gaelic name, Caoelbheachain, which is composed of the words "caoilbheach" (slender) and "an" (one).
The variants of the surname Kevelighan are primarily based in Ireland, with records of the name as early as the 15th century in Tipperary and Kilkenny. In addition to the Gaelic variants, the surname has also been Anglicized into dozens of spellings, both in Ireland and in North America.
The most commonly used Anglicized spellings of Kevelighan include Keelaghan, Kelaghan, Keelahan, and Kealaghan. The name has been found in both Ireland and England, as well as in the United States and Canada. One of the earliest records of the name in North America can be found in the 1871 Census of Canada.
Kealaghan is an alternate spelling of the surname, derived from the Gaelic word caoilbhach, meaning slender one. This spelling has been in use since at least 1659, when it was recorded in the Calender of Patent Rolls of Ireland.
Another alternate spellings include: Kealgham, Kealam, Keelegham, Killehan, and Kelleghan. Less commonly used spellings include Keighan, Keeran, Kaeligh, Keylam, and Kealigh.
Lastly, an alternate spelling of the surname that has been widely used in Ireland is Keville. This spelling is a phonetic adaptation of the original Gaelic surname, making it easier for non-Gaelic speakers to pronounce.
Overall, the surname Kevelighan has several variants and alternate spellings, ranging from Anglicized to phonetic spellings. Over the centuries, the surname has been used in Ireland and North America, with records of the name dating back to the 15th century.
Famous people with the name Kevelighan
- Joe Kevelighan: American talk radio host, comedian, media personality, producer and actor.
- Ryan Kevelighan: American professional golfer who is currently a member of the tour.
- George Kevelighan: Former American tennis player in the 1970s. He won multiple career titles, including the US Open in 1977.
- Freddie Kevelighan: Professional basketball player of the 1920s and 1930s who was a star of the famed Original Celtics franchise.
- Orestes Kevelighan: Former NFL offensive lineman who spent 7 seasons with the Chicago Bears.
- Anthony Kevelighan: Professional mixed martial artist with a current record of 18-2 in the lightweight division.
- Jessie Kevelighan: Award-winning singer and songwriter who has released four albums and 17 singles.
- Jeffrey Kevelighan: Emmy Award-winning producer, director, writer and actor.
- Michael Kevelighan: Professional wrestler in the WWE, best known for his tag team run with Cesaro.
- Matthew Kevelighan: Actor who had minor roles in various television shows and films.