Surname Killahy - Meaning and Origin
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Killahy: What does the surname Killahy mean?
The last name Killahy is derived from the Irish surname Ó Cill Ágha, which literally translates to descendent of the priest's field. The name is predominately found in the Irish counties of Cork and Kerry, and is primarily anglicized to Killahy, Killoughy, and Killeaghey. It is generally believed to have been borne by a family that held land or had a home in medieval times.
The Ó Cill Ágha, or Killahy, family were likely descendents of the seventh century King of Laighin, Aillil Méith Mocláim, who is believed to have held the territory in the present-day southeast of Co. Wexford, at the time. Those who took on the Killahy name were likely the descendants of a local priest.
The meaning of the name could also be attributed to the word cill, which is Gaelic for "church" or "land". Combined with the word ágha which translates to "male descendant", the name as a whole could be interpreted to mean "descendants of the priest's land".
Throughout the centuries, the Killahy family has been known as a proud, ambitious, proud and determined households. Being a relatively uncommon Irish surname, it is likely that those who bear the name today are descended from the original Ó Cill Ágha family.
Order DNA origin analysisKillahy: Where does the name Killahy come from?
The last name Killahy is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Cuileaghaigh (also spelled Ó Cuilleaghaigh or Ó Cuiléaghaigh). It is most commonly found in County Cork, Ireland, particularly in the area known as West Muskerry.
Irish surnames are often passed down from generation to generation, which explains why Killahy is still relatively common in this area. There has been some migration of Irish families, however, so one can find the surname Killahy in other parts of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The meaning of the name Killahy is uncertain and there are several theories. Some say it is derived from the Old Irish phrase ‘Cill aigh’, meaning ‘church corner’ or ‘church boundary’, in reference to the boundaries of a church-owned estate. Others say it is a combination of two Old Irish words, ‘cuileag’ for ‘wart’, referring to a wart on a gable wall, and ‘cill’ for ‘church’. Others believe the name means ‘from the meadow of the church’, in reference to a particular plot of land in the area.
No matter its origin, today, the last name Killahy is still a prominent one in its original home of County Cork, Ireland.
Variations of the surname Killahy
The surname Killahy is of Irish descent and is derived from the old Gaelic name Ó Caoilfhiaigh, which means 'descendant of Caoilfhiaigh' or ‘descendent of Caoilfhiaigh's follower'. Caoilfhiaigh is believed to have been a personal name composed of the elements caol meaning ‘slender’ and fhiach meaning ‘raven'.
Variants of this surname include Kealy, Keleher, Keley, Kealleher, Killaha, Cealleher, and Quiltery.
The Keleher spelling of Killahy is more commonly found in the southern part of Ireland, while the Kealy spelling is typically seen in the northern regions. Both the Keleher and Kealy variations share the same pronunciation.
The Killaha, Cealleher, and Quiltery spellings have evolved over the years. Quiltery is a shortened version of Killahy, and Killaha and Cealleher are slight modifications of the original name.
Lastly, the Killahy surname appears in a range of coat-of-arms, such as the blazon of a red shield with a two black bars, three black martlets, and a gold border. Additionally, the slogan on the crest is ‘Virtutis Sola nobilitas’ which translates to 'Virtue is the only Nobility'.
Famous people with the name Killahy
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