Show ContentsKillilea History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Killilea

What does the name Killilea mean?

The surname Killilea comes from the original Irish Mac Giolla Leith, meaning son of a devotee of Leith.

Early Origins of the Killilea family

The surname Killilea was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where the MacGiolla Leith belong to the Clan of Ui Maine.

Early History of the Killilea family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Killilea research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Killilea History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Killilea Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacKillilea, Killilea, MacGillilea, Killileagh and many more.

Early Notables of the Killilea family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was

  • the Killilea family of County Galway


Killilea migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Killilea Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Killilea, who immigrated to New York in 1849
  • Bridget and Jon Killilea, who landed in New York in 1849
  • Honora and Mary A. Killilea, who arrived in New York in 1856
  • Patrick Killilea, who landed in New York in 1867

Contemporary Notables of the name Killilea (post 1700) +

  • Matthew Robert Killilea (1862-1902), American lawyer and politician
  • Karen Ann Killilea (b. 1940), American subject of two bestselling books by her mother Marie Killilea
  • Henry James Killilea (1863-1929), American baseball executive, one of the five men who founded baseball's American League as a major league in 1899, Owner of the Boston Red Sox (1903-1904)
  • Marie Killilea (1913-1991), American author, activist, and lobbyist for the rights of people with cerebral palsy, best known for her children's books based on the real life story of the Killilea family, mother of Karen Killilea
  • Mark Killilea Jr. (b. 1939), former Irish Fianna Fáil politician, son of Mark Killilea, Sr
  • Mark Killilea Sr. (1896-1970), Irish Fianna Fáil politician


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