Show ContentsKillman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A family in the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland was the first to use the name Killman. They lived at Kelman Hill, which is in the Cabrach in the county of Aberdeen.

Early Origins of the Killman family

The surname Killman was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Killman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Killman research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Killman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Killman 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 Killman has been spelled Kelman, Kilman and others.

Early Notables of the Killman family

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


United States Killman migration to the United States +

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 Killman:

Killman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Simon Killman, who landed in Maryland in 1662 1
  • Thomas Killman, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 1
  • Jane Killman, who landed in Maryland in 1665 1
  • Judith Killman, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 1
Killman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Conrad Killman, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1792 1


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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