Surname Kilduff - Meaning and Origin

Kilduff: What does the surname Kilduff mean?

Kilduff is an Irish surname derived from the Old Irish Celt clan O’Cuil Duibh. The translation of the name is ‘dark, dark-haired.’ Historically, the clan hailed from County Mayo in Ireland and the surname is commonly associated with the region. It is thought to originate from the 12th century as one of the ruling clans of the region during the Norman Invasion.

The O’Cuil Duibh clan were a powerful family in Ireland and were renowned warriors and influential political figures. They controlled a number of strategic locations in County Mayo, including Burrishoole Castle, which served as the home of the Kilduff clan chieftain.

The legacy of the Kilduff clan is evident in the number of castles and forts bearing the Kilduff name in the region. They are still monuments to the once powerful and influential family that once ruled the area.

Though the family is no longer as prominent as it once was, the name Kilduff is still present throughout Ireland and Irish descendants living elsewhere in the world.

Kilduff: Where does the name Kilduff come from?

The last name Kilduff is most commonly found in areas with a large population of Irish immigrants. Specifically, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Canada, and, to a lesser extent, the United States.

In the United Kingdom, the name Kilduff is most commonly found in London, East Anglia, and the Northwest. It's often found among those with Irish heritage and Roman Catholic faith.

In Australia, Kilduff is one of the top fifty surnames according to 2018 data. Most of those with these last names are in Canberra, Adelaide, and Brisbane. As with the UK, those bearing this last name often tend to have Irish heritage.

Kilduff also appears on the Ireland census of 1890. It is listed as one of the top hundred surnames around that time. Those bearing this name have roots in County Cork, Clare, and Limerick.

In the United States, the last name Kilduff is most commonly found in the state of New York. It's also found in California and Massachusetts. Like in the other countries, the surname is associated with the Irish American population.

In Canada, Kilduff is more generally common in Ontario, but is also found in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.

Overall, the last name Kilduff is most common in countries settled by the Irish. It tends to be especially frequent in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Variations of the surname Kilduff

The surname Kilduff has many variants and spellings, as well as a few surnames of the same origin. These variations likely come from the spelling of the name being changed as it is handed down through generations, as well as simply being phonetically spelled by the beholder.

Variations of the surname Kilduff include Kildoff, Kildof, Kildough, Kildoof, Kildorf, and Kilduff.

A few surnames of the same origin that are closely related to the name Kilduff include Kildow, Kilday, Killduff, Kilday, Kylduff, and Kilduf. The surname Kilduff is derived from an old Gaelic term “cuil dobhair” which translates to “nook of the water”.

Finally, the surnames Kelduff and Kiltuff are very similar to Kilduff. Both surnames are believed to be derived from the same root word as Kilduff, but they can be distinguished from one another based on the spelling. For instance, Kelduff is often spelled with an “E” instead of an “I”, while Kiltuff is often spelled with a “T” instead of a “D”.

Overall, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that are related to the Kilduff name. These variations likely come from the name being changed over the course of generations, as well as simply being spelled differently by whoever is saying it.

Famous people with the name Kilduff

• Thomas Kilduff: Actor who has appeared in films such as Gutshot Straight, Just Before I Go, and Edgarton.
• John F. Kilduff: Former journalist who served as chairman of the board for Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty and president for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
• Jason Kilduff: Former vice president for marketing at Quincy Systems, a meditation and lifestyle app for Android and iOS.
• Dave Kilduff: Stand-up comedian and actor who has appeared in shows such as The Office, Elevator, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
• Tim Kilduff: Veteran of the U.S. Army and a former special assistant to the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command.
• Sean Kilduff: Professional ice hockey player in the American Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League.
• Ryan Kilduff: Investment banker and venture capitalist who founded the private equity firm Kilduff Capital in 2017.
• Patrick Kilduff: Actor, writer, and producer best known for his work on films such as The Money Pit, Six Days and Seven Nights, and Listen Up Philip.
• Paul Kilduff: Actor who appeared in films such as There Will Be Blood, Into the Wild, and 11:14.
• Louise Kilduff: Interior designer who received an Emmy nomination for her work on the TV show Desperate Housewives.

Other surnames

Kildunn