Show ContentsKilkelly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Kilkelly comes from the Irish Mac Giolla Cheallaigh, meaning the son of a servant or devotee of St. Ceallach.

Early Origins of the Kilkelly family

The surname Kilkelly was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where it belonged to a Clan of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, descended from the famous King Guaire Aidhne "the Hospitable.".

Early History of the Kilkelly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kilkelly research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1744 and 1783 are included under the topic Early Kilkelly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kilkelly Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kilkelly, Killikelly, MacKilkelly and others.

Early Notables of the Kilkelly family

More information is included under the topic Early Kilkelly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Kilkelly migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kilkelly Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Patrick Kilkelly, who sailed from Ireland to America in 1741
Kilkelly Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Kilkelly, who took the Oath of Allegiance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1860
  • Martin Kilkelly, who was naturalized in New York in 1899

Canada Kilkelly migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kilkelly Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Matthew Kilkelly, aged 40 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Wolfville" departing 25th April 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but he died on board 1

Australia Kilkelly migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kilkelly Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Patrick Kilkelly, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Sir Thomas Gresham" 2
  • John Kilkelly, aged 20, a farm servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Storm Cloud"

New Zealand Kilkelly migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kilkelly Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Kilkelly, Irish settler from Annaghdown travelling from Leith aboard the ship 'Melbourne' arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 18th March 1861 3


  1. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 83)
  2. South Australian Register Monday 20th March 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Sir Thomas Gresham 1858. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sirthomasgresham1858.shtml
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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