Surname Kinselagh - Meaning and Origin
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Kinselagh: What does the surname Kinselagh mean?
The last name Kinselagh is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic Ó Cinnsealaigh, meaning "descendant of Cinnsealach". The Cinnsealach sept were a prominent ruling family of the Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe in County Mayo and parts of Derry and Tyrone during the Middle Ages. The name Cinnsealach can be translated to mean “hard head” which was likely a reflection of their strength and resilience.
This family was among the first Norman settlers in Ireland who used the native Irish to protect and expand their influence in the Gaelic Irish society. They were known to have great wealth and political power through the late 1500s but had lost much of it by the time of the Cromwellian conquest. Nevertheless, the name Kinselagh has been handed down to the present day as a reminder of their proud lineage.
The Kinselaghs are recognized to this day for their strong sense of identity and strong roots in tradition and familial values. They are held in high regard within their community and are known to be resilient in difficult times. Those who bear the last name Kinselagh are sure to carry on the pride of their ancestors and serve as an inspirational example for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisKinselagh: Where does the name Kinselagh come from?
The surname Kinselagh is of Irish origin and is a variant spelling of the name Kinsloe or Kinsley. It is thought to have derived from the Irish Gaelic Mac Coinnsealaigh meaning “son of the hazel wood”. The name is most commonly found today in Ireland, particularly in the Ulster region of the island.
In the past, Kinselagh was also common across Britain, typically in the Scottish Lowlands. The Kinselagh name is still distinctive in this region despite having diminished in popularity over the years. It also remains a common surname in Canada and Australia, mainly due to considerable levels of Irish emigration in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
In the United States, however, Kinselagh is a much rarer name, most likely due to the relative lack of Irish immigrants to the country prior to the early twentieth century. Although it is sporadically found across the country, it is most common in the states of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maryland. This is likely due to a concentration of Irish-heritage populations in these states and the prevalence of earlier Irish immigrants to the area.
Though it once enjoyed widespread usage, today the name Kinselagh remains largely restricted to Ireland and certain parts of Scotland, Britain, Canada, Australia, and the US. With its Irish-Gaelic origins, it is still an unmistakable marker of Irish heritage and an attractive reminder of the shared connection between those carrying the name.
Variations of the surname Kinselagh
The surname Kinselagh has variant spellings and surnames of the same origin. Kinselagh is an Irish surname derived from the Irish Mac an Fhilidh, which translates literally to “son of the poet”. The variant spellings include Kinsella, Kinchela, Kinsley, Kincheloe, Kinsela, Kinsellagh, Kinslagh, and Kinslo.
The Kinsley surname is the oldest recorded version of this Irish name. It is primarily found in lands in what is now the Republic of Ireland, specifically in County Galway and County Clare. When the English first began arriving in the late 12th century, they found the Kinsley name already in existence.
The Kinsela, Kinsella, and Kinselagh variants were derived from the Kinsley name. The Kinsella surname became popular near Dublin, in County Kildare, and in the surrounding counties in the 13th and 14th centuries, and soon spread to neighboring Laois. Kinsela is a rare spelling, and Kinselagh appears to be a slightly modified version of Kinsella.
The Kinchela and Kincheloe surnames are descendants of the original Kinselagh name. Kinchela is a variant mainly found in Northern Ireland, and Kincheloe is a derivative found primarily in County Mayo in the 19th century. Finally, Kinslagh is another variant that appears to be fairly isolated, mainly to be found in County Tipperary.
In short, the surname Kinselagh is an Irish name, originally derived from Mac an Fhilidh, with numerous variants including Kinsella, Kinchela, Kinsley, Kincheloe, Kinsela, Kinsellagh, Kinslagh, and Kinslo. These variants have various origins and locations of use, but all can be linked back to the original Kinselagh name.
Famous people with the name Kinselagh
- Samuel Kinselagh: known as the founder of classical ballet in Australia.
- Rex Kinselagh: English-born former footballer who played professionally in England and Australia.
- Lawrence Kinselagh: Australian barrister and Queen's Counsel, who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia from 1997 to 2008.
- Harold Kinselagh: contemporary British art photographer.
- Thomas Kinselagh: Australian public servant and economist who served as the Managing Director of the South Australian Investment and Trade Corporation from 2002 to 2004.
- Kenneth Kinselagh: British artist known for his impressionistic watercolour and oil paintings.
- Elizabeth Kinselagh: Australian actress known for her television roles in Fire and Rescue and Don't Blame Me.
- John Kinselagh: Australian professional poker player and teacher.
- Michael Kinselagh: British actor who has appeared in shows such as EastEnders, Silent Witness, and Prime Suspect.
- Shannon Kinselagh: Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Melbourne, Australia.