Surname Kirrilly - Meaning and Origin

Kirrilly: What does the surname Kirrilly mean?

The surname Kirrilly is derived from the Irish Celtic clans of Northern Ireland. It is an anglicized version of the Gaelic O'Caireallaidh or O'Ceireallaidh, and it is in reference to the sept (clan) known as O'Carellaigh of County Antrim.

The O'Caireallaidh are a branch of the Oirghialla and Ulaidh (Ulster) Clans and are said to be descended from the High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages, who lived in the 4th century in Maestricht. The lineage is traced back through the royal families of Érainn, Nowry, and Connacht.

The name stems from the Gaelic word "ceireall" which translates to mean "a company of mercenaries." It is believed that the O'Caireallaidh of Ulster were a powerful sept or clan made up of a small group of mercenary warriors who were skilled in battle and trained in the use of weapons.

The Kirrilly name has undergone numerous changes over the centuries, with other variations being Kyrilly, Kyrly, and Kirlly.

Despite its ancient roots, the Kirrilly surname is still quite common in Ireland today and is mainly found in County Antrim. The name is used as a given name as well and is a great testament to the strength and perseverance of the ancient Irish clans.

Kirrilly: Where does the name Kirrilly come from?

The surname Kirrilly is a relatively uncommon name today. However, there are a few countries throughout the world where the name is found in significant numbers. In Ireland, the surname is most commonly found in the Cork, Limerick and Dublin regions.

In the United Kingdom, records of people with the name Kirrilly can be found throughout England, from the north of the country to the south. There is a high concentration near the city of Manchester.

Australia also has records for people with the surname Kirrilly. The largest concentration of the name is found in the state of Victoria.

The United States offers the widest geographic spread of people with the name Kirrilly. Oregon, Pennsylvania, New York and California are the states with the highest concentration of the name.

The name can also be found in limited numbers in Canada, South Africa, India, New Zealand and throughout the Mediterranean.

Overall, the surname Kirrilly is not one of the most common surnames in the world today – however, its presence can still be found in a few countries throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Kirrilly

Kirrilly is a variant spelling of the Irish surname 'Kirrily' or 'Kerrily'. This surname originates from the old Gaelic word 'Ceirrileach' which means ‘small dark one’ or ‘small and dark’. Variants of this name include Kerly,Kerriley,Kiraly,Kerley,Kerrilee,Kirlee,Kerlea,Kyrell and Kyrill.

Over time, these various spellings have spread from Ireland to other countries, and can now be found in both North and South America, Australia and New Zealand.

Kirrilly is also sometimes used as a variant of the surname Kilroy, another Irish surname with a Gaelic origin. The original form of the surname is ‘Mac Giolla Ruaidh’, which translates as ‘son of the servant of the red one’ - a reference to someone with a red complexion. Variations of this name include Kilray,Killroy,Kilroye,Kilry and Kyllroe.

These names all reference individuals who may have had a connection to the 'red one', and who were likely a member of a powerful and important political group or family line at some point in the past. This could explain why so many Irish families now have the same name, and can even be found across multiple countries.

Famous people with the name Kirrilly

• Lee Kirrily Hunter: Australian journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker.
• John Kirrily Sharp: F2 driver, entrepreneur, and race team manager.
• Meg Kirrily Waldorff: Contemporary Australian landscape painter.
• Bridget Kirrily Phelan: Australian academic and professor of law.
• Alice Kirrily Ames: Australian cyclist and 2016 Olympic silver medalist.
• Harry Kirrily Ferguson: British-Irish pilot and engineer who invented the modern agricultural tractor and patented the three-point linkage system.
• Tom Kirrily Goodall: Former professional rugby league footballer in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL).
• Jill Kirrily Murdock: Australian politician.
• Michael Kirrily Johnson: Professional cricketer and coach in Australia.
• Richard Kirrily Seccombe: British-Australian businessman and the former chairman of Fosters Australia Limited.

Other surnames

Kirrily