Show ContentsKillack History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Killack comes from the family having resided in Kilnwick or Kilnwick Percy in the East Riding of Yorkshire. They are now found in Humberside, a new county formed after the reorganization of local government in England in 1974. The place-name is based on the Old English personal name Cylla, and means "farm of a man named Cylla." 1 Kilnwick was recorded as Chileuuit 2 in the Domesday Book in 1086, and as Killingwic in the 12th century. Kilnwick Percy was named Chelingewic in 1086, as is recorded in the Domesday Book. The surname means "of Kilnwick."

Early Origins of the Killack family

The surname Killack was first found in Yorkshire at Kilnwick (or Kilnwick-on-the-Wolds), a village and parish in the Yorkshire Wolds. "Many provincial dialects drop the final N of Kiln; and the W in the termination, as in War(w)ick, Nor(w)ich." 3

Early History of the Killack family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Killack research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Killack History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Killack Spelling Variations

Killack has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Killick, Killwick, Killik, Killicke and others.

Early Notables of the Killack family

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

Migration of the Killack family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Killacks to arrive on North American shores: James Killicke settled in Virginia in 1648.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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