Show ContentsKilgor Surname History

The ancestors of the Kilgor family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. They lived in Kilgour, which is located near Falkland in the county of Fife. "The ancient name of a parish in Fifeshire, Scotland, so called from kill, a church, and gour, a hill—the church on the hill, or surrounded by hills." 1

Early Origins of the Kilgor family

The surname Kilgor was first found in Fife, at Kilgour where it is "an old Scottish family, who probably derived their name from a place so called in the parish of Falkland, co. Fife. " 2 "The surname is found all over Fife and is also common in Aberdeenshire. It is also found in North Australia, and has given name to a river there." 3

Early History of the Kilgor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kilgor research. Another 192 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1006, 1528, 1540, 1550, 1551, 1555, 1563, 1566, 1567, 1572, 1600, 1607, 1644 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Kilgor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kilgor Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Kilgor has been spelled Kilgour, Kilgore and others.

Early Notables of the Kilgor family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Sir Thomas Kilgour, "who appears in 1528 as chaplain of St, Thomas in the palace of Falkland is probably the same "Sir" Thomas Kilgoure to whom several entries of...
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kilgor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kilgor family

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Kilgor: Francis Kilgore settled in Virginia in 1761; Joseph and Martha Kilgour settled with their four children settled in Barstable Massachusetts in 1822; George Kilgour arrived in San Francisco in 1850..



  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook