Surname Killiard - Meaning and Origin

Killiard: What does the surname Killiard mean?

The surname Killiard is derived from the Old French phrase "cuy lard," which literally translates to "pig bacon." The name was most likely given to someone who either produced or prepared pork products. It is believed to be an occupational name, derived from the French words cui or cuillere, meaning "pig" or "skillet," and lard, for larding with fat.

The Killiard family is found in many different countries and cultures including England, Ireland, Scotland, and France. In the past, it was spellings including Kiliard, Kyllyerd, and Killeard.

The Irish spelling is Mac Giolla Iardha, "Son of the Devotee of the Lord." It is possible the Killiard family has been in Ireland since the invasions of the Norsemen and Normans in the seventh and eighth centuries. The Killiard family in Ireland is often described as an "ancient" lineage, claiming descent from one of the five "great" clans of Munster.

Today, all forms of the surname are common, with a variety of spellings. Most commonly, the name is found in Scotland, Ireland, and England, though it is also present in France, Germany, Italy, and other countries.

Since the name Killiard is derived from an occupational name, it may reflect an ancestor's job or profession. It is also possible that the name was given to a specific family line as a way to remember the individual who created or prepared pork products. No matter the source of the name, it is an ancient lineage with roots in multiple countries and cultures.

Killiard: Where does the name Killiard come from?

The surname Killiard is most commonly found in and around Ireland today. The name is derived from an Olde English word meaning "warrior-chief." Records show that the Killiard name first appears in 1178, when Felix de Kilarda was listed as a witness to a charter at the abbey of Llanthony Secunda in South Wales. The name was also found in various other parts of Britain during the Middle Ages, particularly in Scotland.

The Killiards settled around Dublin in Ireland at some point in history, and by the 19th century, they were primarily found in the provinces of Leinster and Munster, particularly around counties Tipperary, Cork, and Waterford. The largest concentration of Killiards can still be found in these areas of Ireland.

The Killiard name is very rare outside of Ireland, but some Killiards have migrated to other parts of the world over the centuries. Australia, the United States, and Canada are the most common countries of origin for immigrants bearing the Killiard name today. The Killiards of America are most likely descended from Irish immigrants who settled in the United States in the 19th century.

No matter where they are today, the Killiards of Ireland can be proud to belong to an ancient and noble family.

Variations of the surname Killiard

Killiard is a rare and unique surname. Variants, spellings, and cognates of the name include Killeard, Killiard, Killiart, Killeard, Kilyrd, Killearrd, Killeurd, Killyrd, Kileard, and Kilard. The surname Killiard is derived from the Gaelic personal name Mac Giolla Ard, which means “son of the follower of the high one.” The name originated in County Sligo, Ireland.

The Killiard surname is found predominantly in Ireland and England. It is also found in other parts of the world, due to immigrating of the people with the surname Killiard. The variations in spelling can be attributed to differences in dialects, or recorders attempting to spell the name as it was pronounced.

In some cases, the surname Killiard has been Anglicised from its original Gaelic form. For example, the name Mac Giolla Ard has been shortened to Mac Lard, which has then been Anglicised to Killard. Another example is McClewrd, which has been Anglicised to Killwright.

Killiard can also be found as a first name within some families. In this case, it is derived from the French word “kille,” which means “laugh.”

In addition, other variants of the Killiard surname include Kilard, Kilhird, or Kilhirde. These can be traced back to the Norman-French spelling of the name.

Overall, the family name Killiard is a rare and unique surname, with many different variants. As families have immigrated across the world, this surname has adapted and changed, taking on many different spellings and forms. It is a testament to the diversity and resilience of the family name.

Famous people with the name Killiard

• Cormac Killiard: Actor, best known for his laugh-out-loud roles in comedies like "Things Blow Up!" and "Fledgling Fools."
• Jack Killiard: Renowned fashion designer who is based in Tokyo and is known for his classic, contemporary menswear designs.
• Winifred Killiard: TV personality best known for her role as one of the presenters on the game show "Escape from the Norm".
• Siobhan Killiard: British singer-songwriter who has released five successful albums and had two hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Gary Killiard: Award-winning film director who is best known for his gripping thrillers such as "Home-Sick" and "Age of Fear".
• Nico Killiard: Professional golfer who represented Europe on five Ryder Cup teams and won eight European Tour titles.
• Alice Killiard: Award-winning children’s author and illustrator who has had several bestsellers, including "The Boy Who Ate Too Much".
• Bryan Killiard: Elite basketball player who played for the Phoenix Suns for ten years and was part of the All-Star team in 2009.
• Lucas Killiard: Olympic swimmer who won gold in the 200m freestyle in the 2004 Athens games and silver in the 100m Butterfly in the 2006 Turin games.
• Ella Killiard: Award-winning makeup artist who has been a part of the behind-the-scenes team in lots of Hollywood blockbusters such as "Titanic" and "Alien 5".

Other surnames

Killian