McKillop History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The McKillop family comes from the ancient Scottish Dalriadan clans of the mountainous west coast of Scotland. The name McKillop is derived from the personal name Philip, which is originally derived from the Greek personal name Philippos, which means horse-lover. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Fhilib, meaning son of Philip. The f is aspirated in the genitive case, causing it to disappear. 1

Early Origins of the McKillop family

The surname McKillop was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat at Brae Lochaber from ancient times being descended from an ancient chieftain of the MacDonnells of Keppoch who were, in turn, descended from the Lords of the Isles. It has been suggested that the MacKillops or MacGilps may be the sons of Ilpin or Gilpin, in Iam Lom's "Soiidh do'n Ghreumach."

"Some of this name are said to have been standard-bearers to the Campbells of Dunstaffnage, others are included as septs of Macdonald of Glencoe and of Macdonells of Keppoch, and Mackillop also occurs as a surname in Arran. Finlaius Macpilibh, priest of the diocese of Argyll, is in record in 1433, and in 1437 John, son of Fynlaius Prioris Macphilib, appears as perpetual vicar of Kilcalmonell." 1

The MacPhillip or MacPhillips variant reappears later in history as the first record of the branch was found as "Philip, a son of Fingonius, prior of Iona, who was commemorated on a tombstone in Cladh Reg, Kirkapoll, Tiree, 1495. " 1

Early History of the McKillop family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKillop research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1433, 1437, 1526, 1532, 1547 and 1659 are included under the topic Early McKillop History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKillop Spelling Variations

Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of McKillop include MacKillop, McKillop, MacGilp, McGilp, MacKillip, McKillip, MacGillip, McGillip, MacKillup, McKillup, Kellop, Kellops, Killop, Killup, Gilp, Gillip, Killip, Killips, MacFhilib, MacPhilip and many more.

Early Notables of the McKillop family

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

Migration of the McKillop family to Ireland

Some of the McKillop family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 145 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKillop migration to the United States +

The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name McKillop arrived in North America very early:

McKillop Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John McKillop, who arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1767

McKillop Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hugh McKillop, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1833
John McKillop, aged 24, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Maryland in 1841 2
Dennis McKillop, aged 24, who arrived in Missouri in 1848 2
Hugh McKillop, aged 20, who landed in Missouri in 1848 2
Charles McKillop, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 2

McKillop 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:

McKillop Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Fanny McKillop, aged 18, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waipa" in 1876

Contemporary Notables of the name McKillop (post 1700) +

Robert "Bob" McKillop (b. 1950), American college head coach of the Davidson College Wildcats men's basketball team
Scott McKillop (b. 1986), American NFL football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers
Rob McKillop, American bassist who once played for the thrash metal band Exodus
Heather McKillop (b. 1953), Canadian-American archaeologist, best known for her work on Mayan trade routes
Malcomb McKillop, American politician, Delegate to Missouri State Constitutional Convention 1st District, 1875 3
Kenneth McKillop, American politician, Member of South Dakota State House of Representatives 16th District, 1949-52 3
David H. McKillop, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Stockholm, 1943 3
Sir Thomas Fulton Wilson McKillop (b. 1943), Scottish chemist, CEO and former chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland
Don McKillop (1929-2005), English actor
A.B. "Brian" McKillop (b. 1946), Canadian academic, Distinguished Research Professor and former Chancellor's Professor and Chair of the history department (2005-2009)
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

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)
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html