Surname Killeran - Meaning and Origin

Killeran: What does the surname Killeran mean?

The last name Killeran is of Irish origin and means “son of Killeen”, derived from the Gaelic words cill and ín, meaning "church" and "small", respectively. The name originally referred to a person who lived near or worked in the church.

The surname is derived from Killian, which is also an old Irish name associated with St. Killian, a 7th-century Irish missionary saint. He is the patron saint of several towns in County Wexford, Ireland, including Killeran. A well-known bearer of the name is Seán Ó Coileáin, an Irish professor and author who wrote extensively on Irish and Gaelic history, literature, and culture.

Descendants of the original Irish bearers of the Killeran surname can be found living in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. It is an unusual surname in that it was not assumed, but rather passed down through the generations.

The Killeran family motto is “Síocha a Bhaineann leis an Deoraiocht,” which translates to “Peace Springing from Devotion.” This phrase is meant to symbolize their deep commitment to their Irish heritage and their dedication to making the world a more peaceful place.

Killeran: Where does the name Killeran come from?

The Killeran surname is most common today in counties Cork and Kerry in Ireland. The name originated in the south-west region of Ireland, so it is most prevalent in this area. It is also found in smaller numbers throughout the rest of the country.

Outside of Ireland, there are some Killeran families located in the UK, Canada and the United States. The first wave of Killeran's to leave Ireland for abroad would have likely departed between 1770 and 1800, with the famine of the 1840s causing a further wave of emigrants who sought to escape the poverty and starvation encountered in their homeland.

The Killeran surname is historically associated with the King of the world and traditionally a sign of courage. In fact, ancient Irish texts mention a man named Ciarán mac Oilioll as the father of the Killarney branch of the family, confirming their ancient lineage.

Today, descendants of the original Killeran's that still bear the name can be found across the world, though the greatest concentration remains in their homeland of Ireland.

Variations of the surname Killeran

Killeran is a Gaelic surname that is derived from the Mac Giolla Fhaolain Irish Clan. Variants of the surname include Kilrain, Killrain, Kilraine, Killraine, and Killeryan. The Mac Giolla Fhaolain Clan was composed of several families, so it is possible to find variations in the surname spelling depending on the family of origin.

In Ireland, the most common spelling of the surname is Killeran. However, in other countries, particularly those of Great Britain and the United States, the more modernized spellings of Kilrain and Killrain are often used. The spelling Kilraine is popular in Scotland, while the spelling Killraine is more commonly found in England. The spelling Killeryan is popular in Wales.

The surname Killeran is also found in a variety of other surnames that are derived from the same Irish origins. Variants of the surname include Killen, Killian, Kilkenny, Kylinn, and Killeen. Other spellings of the surname are Kellern, Kilern, Kellerman, and Kellarman.

The surname Killeran is also found with Americanized versions of the original Irish spelling, such as Kilrennan, Killerin, and Killoran. It is also occasionally seen as a variant of the popular surname Killeen, which is derived from the Irish surname Mac Giolla Fhaolain.

No matter the spelling, the surname Killeran can be regarded as a tribute to the Mac Giolla Fhaolain legacy. The various spellings reflect the many variations of the surname that can be found throughout the world – all of which are a testament to the proud and resilient Irish heritage.

Famous people with the name Killeran

• Jaimi Killeran- Australian actress and models.
• Jimmy Killeran- Irish actor and singer.
• Christina Killeran- British fashion designer.
• Rory Killeran- Irish singer-songwriter.
• Paul Killeran- Irish comedian and writer.
• Sean Killeran- Irish footballer.
• Daniel Killeran- American film producer and director.
• Brandon Killeran- American mixed martial arts fighter.
• Dave Killeran- Australian radio presenter.
• Cynthia Killeran- Canadian artist and designer.
• Evan Killeran- American singer-songwriter.
• Matthew Killeran- British television presenter and DJ.
• Alex Killeran- American stuntman.
• Joe Killeran- American ice hockey player.
• Stephen Killeran- English artist.
• Mary Killeran- Irish public relations consultant.
• Sean Killeran- Canadian professional snowboarder.
• Mark Killeran- Australian artist.
• Richard Killeran- South African musician.
• Sam Killeran- British photographer.

Other surnames

KillerKillerlean