Kilfoy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The spelling and overall form of Irish names often vary considerably. The original Gaelic form of the name Kilfoy is Mac Giolla Phoil, denoting the descendant of a follower of St. Paul.

Early Origins of the Kilfoy family

The surname Kilfoy was first found in County Offaly (Irish: Uíbh Fháilí) originally the Kingdom of Uí Failghe, located in central Ireland in the Province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Kilfoy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kilfoy research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1576 is included under the topic Early Kilfoy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kilfoy Spelling Variations

The spelling of names in Ireland during the Middle Ages was rarely consistent. This inconsistency was due to the scribes and church officials' attempts to record orally defined names in writing. The common practice of recording names as they sounded resulted in spelling variations such as Gilfoyle, MacGilfoyle, MacIlfoyle, Guilfoyle and many more.

Early Notables of the Kilfoy family (pre 1700)

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

Kilfoy 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:

Kilfoy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Rosetta Kilfoy, aged 29, a servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874
Joseph Kilfoy, aged 9, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874
Emily Kilfoy, aged 5, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874