Surname Kileeny - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kileeny: What does the surname Kileeny mean?
The last name Kileeny is of Irish origin from the Gaelic surname O Céileigh. This translates to 'descendant of Céileigh', with Céileigh being an Irish given name which means “caring” or “loving”. The Kileeny surname is found mainly in County Tipperary, Ireland.
The Kileeny's clan first appeared in County Carlow in the 13th century. They remained there until the end of the 17th century, when they moved to other parts of Ireland. The Kileeny's were often very wealthy and held high positions within their community. They had a strong presence in the army, and were also known for their intelligence and business acumen.
Kileeny is also an Anglicized version of the last name, which was used by those who had difficulty in pronouncing the traditional Gaelic name. The surname spread to the United States and other countries, as many people of Irish descent emigrated in search of a better life.
The Kileeny name has continued to remain strong over the years, and is an iconic name which is synonymous with Ireland and its proud history. It is a name that carries with it a certain degree of respect, loyalty and intelligence, and is a name passed down through generations for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKileeny: Where does the name Kileeny come from?
The last name Kileeny is most commonly associated with Ireland. The surname is derived from the Irish Ó Ceallacháin, which means "descendant of Ceallachán." This surname is most frequently found in the Munster county of Cork, in the south of the country. It is one of the few names in Ireland that has two distinct origins, with Ceallachán also being an old Irish first name.
The name is also not uncommon in the United States, particularly in those areas with large Irish-American immigrant populations such as New York, Massachusetts, California, and Texas. It was particularly common in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries following a wave of Irish immigration to the US. Unfortunately, the number of Kileeny’s in the United States is not well documented as many of their descendants anglicized their names or simply adopted more common versions.
Given its prevalence in two countries at different periods of history, the last name Kileeny may be much more common than many people think. Regardless, the name carries a strong Irish heritage and an important part of Irish culture and history.
Variations of the surname Kileeny
The surname Kileeny is derived from the Irish surname Ó Coileáin, originated in County Cork, Ireland. This name is spelled and pronounced in many ways in different countries. In Ireland, the most commonly seen variations are Kilinny, Kilenny, Gilinny, Killinny, Kileany, Kileeny, and Killeen. In the United States, other spellings of Kileeny include Kilanne, Kilane, Killean, Kiliney, and Kiliany.
In the United Kingdom, variants of Kileeny can include Killian, Gilian, Gillian, Killean, Kilian, Kylian, Kilean, and Killen. In Canada, the name Kilanny, Killanny, Killanay, and Killenny is often seen. Additionally, Kileeny, Kileaney, and Kilurai are occasionally represented in some countries.
Overall, although the spelling of the name Kileeny can vary, all of them are derived from the same Irish surname and are of the same origin. However, it should be noted that due to the variety and possible ways of spelling this name, its meaning can be altered and confused with other names. Hence, all variants should be carefully checked for accuracy.
Famous people with the name Kileeny
- Sir Christopher Kileeny: British actor.
- Ben Kileeny: former Canadian professional ice hockey player.
- Desmond Kileeny: American photographer and filmmaker.
- David Kileeny: British Olympic rower.
- Sasha Kileeny: British author and screenwriter.
- Steve Kileeny: President and CEO of John Deere.
- Samantha Kileeny: American actress.
- Paul Kileeny: Irish professional field hockey player.
- Arline Kileeny: American artist and writer.
- Wilfred Kileeny: Canadian stage and television actor.