Show ContentsKildea History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The chronicles of the Kildea family reach back into Scottish history to an ancient tribe known as the Picts. The ancestors of the Kildea family lived in the lands of Keltie, which were found near Callander in the county of Perth.

Early Origins of the Kildea family

The surname Kildea was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from very early times on the old lands of Keltie, near Callander.

Early History of the Kildea family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kildea research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1616, 1628 and 1647 are included under the topic Early Kildea History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kildea Spelling Variations

When the first dictionaries were invented in the last few hundred years, spelling gradually became standardized. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound. Names were often recorded under different spelling variations every time they were written. Kildea has been written Keltie, Kelty, Keltey and others.

Early Notables of the Kildea family

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


Australia Kildea migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kildea Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Margaret Kildea, aged 18, a dairy servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Emerald Isle" 1
  • Bridget Kildea, aged 22, a dairy servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Emerald Isle" 1
  • James Kildea, aged 42, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Confiance" 2
  • Coleman Kildea, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Australia"
  • Patrick Kildea, aged 14, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Nugget" 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Kildea (post 1700) +

  • Paul Francis Kildea, Australian conductor and author, known for his expertise on Benjamin Britten
  • Bobby Kildea (b. 1972), Northern Irish musician, known for his work with the indie pop band Belle & Sebastian


  1. South Australian Register Tuesday 17th January 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Emerald Isle 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/emeraldisle1854.shtml
  2. South Australian Register Wednesday 13th September 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Confiance 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/confiance1854.shtml
  3. South Australian Register. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Nugget 1858. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/nugget1858.shtml


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