Surname Kilmary - Meaning and Origin
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Kilmary: What does the surname Kilmary mean?
The surname Kilmary has its roots in Old Gaelic, with the literal meaning being 'church of the Virgin Mary'. It is believed to have originated from a prominent family that established and held a chapel dedicated to St. Mary in Kilmary, Scotland.
Kilmary is most popularly seen in Scottish and Irish families, but can also be found in regions like Australia, Northern Ireland, and New Zealand. Its use spread through the English Language in the early 1700s through immigration waves.
Today, the surname Kilmary is commonly used to represent a sense of family, faith, and heritage. Those with the surname often cling to their roots in times of difficulty or uncertainty, drawing strength from the branches of their family.
The name is derived from two Gaelic words, which are "cill" meaning "church", and "The Virgin Mary". The association to the Virgin Mary makes the surname one of deep faith, religious respect, and hope. It is a name to be proud of, as its origins add a sense of nobility that revolve around the religious convictions of the individual. Those that carry the surname can take pride in the beliefs of the original family and all of the craft and effort that it took to build the first church in Kilmary, Scotland.
The name Kilmary is a meaningful one, and still holds an important place in many families today.
Order DNA origin analysisKilmary: Where does the name Kilmary come from?
The last name Kilmary seems to have its roots in Ireland as a variant of the more commonly known name Kilmurray. It is possible that in some areas this name was adopted after emigration from Ireland, however it is not a widely used surname today.
The surname Kilmary is quite rare today.It is possible to find people with the name in areas of the United Kingdom, specifically in Ireland. It is also found in small numbers in the United States, with the highest concentration found in the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Interestingly, although the number of people with the surname is low, there are several famous people that share the name. The Irish actor, Colin Kilmurry, was born in Ireland in 1969. Sam Kilmurry is a documentary film director based in the United States. Felix Kilmurry is an English musician who has released several albums under his stage name ‘KILM’.
Kilmary may not be a widely used name, however it does appear to be cherished by the families that do bear it, and in many cases passed down through the generations. It is likely that the name will remain a rarity into the future, however, with its proud history, Kilmary is likely to remain an important part of its owners’ identity.
Variations of the surname Kilmary
Kilmary is an Irish surname meaning “follower of the Mary”. It can be spelled in multiple ways including Kilmarey, Kilmaury, Kilmery, Kilmerie, and Kilmorry.
Variants of the name include MacElmery, MacElmurry, MacKelmary, MacKelmurry, and MacKilmarey. These names are derived from the old Gaelic form of the name, Mac Giolla Mhuire, which can mean “son of the devotee of Mary”.
The name is also seen in various phonetic forms such as Kilmerry, Kilmorry, Kilmurry, Kilmarry, Kilmurray, Kilmurry, and Kilmory.
The surname is predominantly found in Ulster, particularly County Armagh. It is also seen in Scotland, including Highland and Orkney. In England, the name is found mainly in the north and east of the country.
Other related surnames include O’Kelmery, O’Kelmurry, O’Kilmurry, O’MacElmery, and O’Kelmary.
Overall, Kilmary is an Irish surname meaning “follower of the Mary”. It can be spelled in many different ways, including variants and phonetic adaptations, and is mainly found in Ireland, Scotland, and England.
Famous people with the name Kilmary
- Kelly Kilmerry: Actress and Model
- Lola Kilmerry: Singer-Songwriter
- Skillz Kilmerry: Professional Dancer
- Jonah Kilmerry: Actor
- Coleman Kilmerry: Basketball Player
- Lela Kilmerry: Model and DJ
- Hailey Kilmerry: Musician
- Logan Kilmerry: Professional Skateboarder
- Alisha Kilmerry: Professional Soccer Player
- August Kilmerry: Professional BMX Rider
- Tommy Kilmerry: Rapper
- Luke Kilmerry: Film Director
- Pearl Kilmerry: YouTube Star
- Paul Kilmerry: Baseball Player
- Sasha Kilmerry: Professional Street Ball Player
- Rosie Kilmerry: Artist
- Jordan Kilmerry: Musician and Author
- Estela Kilmerry: Social Media Influencer
- Raul Kilmerry: Comedian
- Holly Kilmerry: Makeup Artist