McKillip History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

On the Scottish west coast, the McKillip family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes 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 McKillip family

The surname McKillip 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 McKillip family

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

McKillip Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. McKillip has appeared as 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 McKillip family

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

McKillip Ranking

In the United States, the name McKillip is the 13,709^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Migration of the McKillip family to Ireland

Some of the McKillip 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.

McKillip migration to Canada +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The McKillip were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

McKillip Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Alex McKillip, who arrived in Quebec in 1784

Contemporary Notables of the name McKillip (post 1700) +

Patricia Anne McKillip (1948-2022), American author of fantasy and science fiction, "one of the most accomplished prose stylists in the fantasy genre", recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2008
Donald "Don" McKillip, American football coach and sports figure
William B. McKillip (b. 1851), American Republican politician, Member of Vermont State Senate from Chittenden County, 1919-23; Presidential Elector for Vermont, 1920 3
H. A. McKillip, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1900 3
Burlin G. McKillip Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1944 3
Burlin G. McKillip, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 30th District, 1940, 1942; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1948 3
Tom McKillip, Canadian producer, known for his work on Canadian Country Music Awards (2009), Canadian Country Music Awards (2010) and Canadian Country Music Awards 2008 (2008)
Carly McKillip (b. 1989), Canadian Young Artist Award nominated actress, known for CardCaptors (2000), Hot Rod (2007) and Saving Silverman (2001), sister of Britt McKillop
Britt Analisa McKillip (b. 1991), Canadian Young Artist Award nominated actress, known for Trick 'r Treat (2007), StrawBerry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures (2010) and Mission to Mars (2000), sister of Carly McKillip, daughter of the producer Tom McKillip

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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html