Kilgallen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The surname Kilgallen comes from the Irish name Mac Giolla Chaillin, meaning the son of a servant or devotee of St. Caillin.

Early Origins of the Kilgallen family

The surname Kilgallen was first found in Connacht (Irish: Connachta, (land of the) descendants of Conn), but there is a Kilcullen in County Kildare, formerly the site of a walled town, and before that of an ecclesiastical settlement dating from the 5th century. Old Kilcullen is the still the site of a round tower and a decorated High Cross. Kilcullen begun as a monastic settlement, in the period around 448.

Early History of the Kilgallen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kilgallen research. More information is included under the topic Early Kilgallen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kilgallen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kilgallen, MacKilgallen, Kilcullen, Kilgallon and others.

Early Notables of the Kilgallen family

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

Kilgallen migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kilgallen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thaddeus Kilgallen, who was naturalized in Texas in 1898

Contemporary Notables of the name Kilgallen (post 1700) +

Dorothy Kilgallen (1913-1965), American Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist, columnist, and television personality, regular panelist on the American television game show What's My Line? in 1950
Margaret Kilgallen (1967-2001), American artist
John J Kilgallen, published biblical scholar

The Kilgallen Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ung roy, ung foy, ung loy
Motto Translation: One king, one faith, one law.