Many Irish names are merely English translations of Gaelic names. The name Killigan was a translation of the Gaelic name Mac Giollagain, which is derived from the word "giolla," which means "lad."
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Early Origins of the Killigan family
The surname Killigan was first found in County Londonderry (Irish: Doire), a Northern Irish county also known as Derry, in the province of Ulster, where they held a family seat at a place called Magilligans Strand.
Early History of the Killigan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Killigan research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Killigan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Killigan Spelling Variations
Many different spelling variations of the surname Killigan exist in the archives researched. Ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. Different spellings that were found include Gilligan, Gilegan, Gillegan, Giligan and others.
Early Notables of the Killigan family
More information is included under the topic Early Killigan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Killigan family
Irish emigration to North America began modestly in the late 18th century. At this time, Irish families made the journey to British North America and the United States by choice and after careful consideration: they were primarily in search of a suitably large stretch of land to call their own. This pattern would change most dramatically during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For example, the years 1825-1845 saw approximately 450,000 heading to British North America and 400,000 to the United States, but in 1847, at the height of the famine, it is estimated that more than 104,000 Irish immigrants went to British North America and more than 119,000 to the United States. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Killigan: Charles, James, John, Michael, Patrick and Thomas Gilligan, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870.
