Show ContentsKillow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Killow family

The surname Killow was first found in Durham at Kelloe, a parish, partly in the union of Durham, and partly in that of Easington. "The manor of Kelloe, which is situated near the road from Stockton to Durham, and comprises about 1500 acres, appears to have given name to the family of Kelloe or Kellaw, of whom Richard de Kellaw, a native of the parish, was Bishop of Durham in 1311." 1

Another early branch of the family was found in Cornwall. "Rosellian or Rosillian, in this parish, was anciently the seat of the Trehawkes, and after them that of the Kellows or Kellios. These were succeeded by the Scobells, from whom it passed to John Deeble, Esq. by whom it was devised to John Rogers, Esq. whose son Richard Rogers, Esq. is the present proprietor. Before Rosellian passed from the Kellios to the Scobells, it afforded for some time a residence to Shadrach Vincent, Esq. whose wife was a co-heiress of the Kellio family." 2

"The old mansion of Kellio, [in the parish of Cornelly] which is now occupied also by a farmer, was in ancient times a seat belonging to a family of this name. Descending to an heiress, it was carried by her in marriage to Tredenham of Probus, after which Kellio continued the seat of the Tredenhams for several generations. From this family it passed to the Trevanions, of whom it has lately been purchased by Lord Falmouth." 2

"Kelliow [in the parish of Kea, Cornwall] was a seat of a family of this name, from whom it passed by female heirs, first to the family of Vivian, and then to Haweis." 2

Early History of the Killow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Killow research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1273, 1453, 1549 and 1562 are included under the topic Early Killow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Killow Spelling Variations

Although the name, Killow, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Kellow, Kello, Kelloe and others.

Early Notables of the Killow family

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


New Zealand Killow 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:

Killow Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Daniel Killow, (b. 1862), aged 12, Cornish settler departing on 28th July 1874 aboard the ship "Helen Denny" going to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 22nd October 1874 3
  • Mr. Eli Killow, (b. 1873), aged 1, Cornish settler departing on 28th July 1874 aboard the ship "Helen Denny" going to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 22nd October 1874 3
  • Miss Elizabeth T. Killow, (b. 1865), aged 9, Cornish settler departing on 28th July 1874 aboard the ship "Helen Denny" going to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 22nd October 1874 3
  • Mrs. Mary A. Killow, (b. 1834), aged 40, Cornish settler departing on 28th July 1874 aboard the ship "Helen Denny" going to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 22nd October 1874 3
  • Mr. William Killow, (b. 1839), aged 35, Cornish farm Labourer departing on 28th July 1874 aboard the ship "Helen Denny" going to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 22nd October 1874 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  3. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf


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