Surname Kilcoyne - Meaning and Origin

Kilcoyne: What does the surname Kilcoyne mean?

Kilcoyne is an Irish surname that originated from the Gaelic name "Mac Giolla Chaoine", meaning ‘son of the servant of Saint Caoin’. The name itself is derived from two elements, the first being 'Mac' meaning 'son of' and the second part 'Giolla', meaning 'follower' or 'servant'. 'Chaoine' refers to a saint, thereby giving the full translation. The name is largely connected to the western region of Ireland, specifically Counties Sligo and Mayo. It is not one of the more common Irish surnames, but it is still in use today. As with many Irish surnames, it can also be found among the Irish diaspora across the world, especially in the United States. It is worth noting that the spelling of Irish names can vary, particularly as a result of Anglicization over the years. Therefore, "Kilcoyne" might also be spelled differently like "Kilcoin" or "Gilcoyne".

Kilcoyne: Where does the name Kilcoyne come from?

The surname Kilcoyne is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Giolla Chaoine," which means "son of the servant of St. Caoin". It is a patronymic name where the initial 'Mac' denoted 'son of'. The Kilcoyne family was first found in the county of Sligo in the western part of Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Today, the name Kilcoyne is still relatively common in Ireland, especially in the western counties of Sligo and Mayo. Due to historical migration patterns, notably the Irish Diaspora during the time of the Great Famine in the mid-19th Century, the surname has also spread to other parts of the world. It can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. However, the highest concentration of people with the surname Kilcoyne is still in Ireland, reflecting its origins.

Variations of the surname Kilcoyne

The Kilcoyne surname is of Irish origin, traceable back to Gaelic O Cill Choinnigh, a compound of "kill," which means church, and "coinneach," which means handsome. The surname may have originated as a nickname for someone who worked at a "handsome church" or as an occupational name for a servant at such a place.

There are several variants and alternate spellings due to Anglicization and localization. Variants include Kilcoin, Kelcoyne, Kilkenny, and Kilkoin, among others. The prefix sometimes switches from "Kil-" to "Gil-," creating even more variants like Gilcoyne. Surname dilution over time resulted in further variation, ranging from the basic phonetic adaptations to complete translations.

As with many Irish names, regional variations can also lead to different versions of the name. However, it is essential to note that not everyone with a variation of the Kilcoyne name is necessarily of Kilcoyne descent, as surnames may have evolved independently in different regions. Instances of Kilcoyne descendants changing their names to blend in with their new societies after emigrating from Ireland, especially during the potato famine, have also been observed.

In general, all variations of the surname Kilcoyne connect back to the original Irish version of the name. Confirming the specific lineage may require genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Kilcoyne

• Ryan Kilcoyne: professional Endurocross rider, and professional Supermoto racer.
• Stephen Kilcoyne: former English footballer, who made over 200 appearances in the Football League.
• John Kilcoyne: an American football center in the National Football League from 1985 to 1992.
• Daryl Kilcoyne: an Irish Gaelic footballer playing for the Ballaghaderreen club in the Mayo GAA County Championship.
• Darren Kilcoyne: an Irish Gaelic footballer playing for the Clarecastle club in the Clare GAA County Championship.
• Brian Kilcoyne: an Australian rugby union player and coach, who played for the Queensland Reds and the New South Wales Waratahs in the 1990s.
• Jimmy Kilcoyne: an Irish soccer player who played for the Bohemians in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
• Dave Kilcoyne: an Irish rugby union player, who plays for Munster Rugby and was part of the Ireland national team that won the 2017 Six Nations.
• Matt Kilcoyne: an English comedian, writer, podcaster, and lecturer, based in London.
• Charles Kilcoyne: an American film producer, writer, and director, known best for his films “Never Die Young” and “The Weight of Water”.

Other surnames

Kilcoyle