Surname Kilcrane - Meaning and Origin

Kilcrane: What does the surname Kilcrane mean?

Kilcrane is an Anglicized version of the Irish surname Mac Giollacriomtha, which means “son of the servant of (Saint) Crónán”. Crónán was an Irish saint from the 7th century; very little is known about him, except that he was good at public speaking and was a powerful preacher.

Kilcrane is found predominantly in County Westmeath, Ireland, and records of the name date back to at least the 15th century. According to legend, there was a great war in the 11th century that resulted in the death of Gregor Mc Cronean, whose sons took a ceremonial pledge with each other to carry on the name and honour of their father.

The Kilcrane families of County Westmeath have had a long and storied history there; they were among the first families to settle there, and were prominent landowners for centuries. Many of them became involved in politics and were respected for their loyalty to their county and their strong sense of justice.

The family motto, “Virtus in radice stat”, translates to “Virtue stands in the root”. This phrase encapsulates the core values of the Kilcrane family: a steadfast commitment to justice and doing the right thing no matter the cost.

To this day, Kilcranes remain stalwarts of County Westmeath, proud carriers of its illustrious history and dedicated to maintaining its honourable traditions.

Kilcrane: Where does the name Kilcrane come from?

The surname Kilcrane is of Irish origin and is commonly found today in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. They are thought to originate from the County Antrim area and may have been an anglicized version of the Gaelic O'Cealchain, derived from the word 'Cealcann', meaning 'Bright Wood'. The Kilcranes are found mainly along the northern coast of Ireland in counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Leitrim and Cavan.

Some Kilcrane families moved around in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and can now be found in more southern parts of Ireland, as well as in the UK and the rest of the world.

In Ireland, the Kilcranes have mostly been associated with farming, although some did go into the trades, including shoemaking and blacksmithing. As a family, they took part in the potato famine and emigrated to the US in the 1850s. Some members of the family followed the railroad tracks and settled in the Midwest.

Today, the last name Kilcrane is still very much in use in Ireland as well as in other parts of the world, and its bearers continue to proudly carry this proud Irish name.

Variations of the surname Kilcrane

The surname Kilcrane is derived from the name Mac Giolla Chrain, which is an Irish surname meaning ‘son of a devotee of (St.) Crónán’. This name was once quite common, and has given rise to many different variants, spellings and surnames.

Variants of the surname Kilcrane include Kilcran, Kilcraine, Kilcren, and Kilcranne. Spellings of the name can also include Kilchrane, Kilchren, Killcraine, Killcran, Killcrane, Killcrayne and Kilcrain.

Other surnames derived from the name Mac Giolla Chrain include Gilcrease, Kilcriene, Kilcreess, Kilcriest, Kilcreesh, Kilcreash, Gilcriest, Kilcrash, Kilcreece, Kilcrees, Kilcress, and Kilcreesse. Some of these spelling variations changed over time, especially those names derived from Scottish settlers.

For those of German descent, variations on this surname can include Külkrain, Külkran, Külkraine, Külkranne, Külchran, and Külchraine.

In some cases, the name can also be found as a first name, such as Kilcran and Kilcrane.

Overall, the variants, spellings, and surnames of Kilcrane present an interesting insight into the history and evolution of the original Irish name. It is clear that the name has been used for centuries, which makes it a fascinating part of Irish and global history.

Famous people with the name Kilcrane

• Malcolm Kilcrane: American soccer player
• Mary Kilcrane: British film director
• Melissa Kilcrane: American fashion designer
• Rebecca Kilcrane: Canadian singer
• Sean Kilcrane: American actor
• Zachary Kilcrane: American basketball player
• Jonathan Kilcrane: British political commentator
• Amanda Kilcrane: American author
• Jack Kilcrane: American writer
• William Kilcrane: Irish politician
• Julia Kilcrane: Austrian judoka
• Emily Kilcrane: Canadian singer
• Katie Kilcrane: American businesswoman
• Everett Kilcrane: Scottish footballer
• Marcelo Kilcrane: Argentine boxer

Other surnames

Kilcran