Killip History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Killip comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from the personal name Philip, which is originally derived from the Greek personal name Philippos, which means horse-lover. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Fhilib, meaning son of Philip. The f is aspirated in the genitive case, causing it to disappear. 1

Early Origins of the Killip family

The surname Killip was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat at Brae Lochaber from ancient times being descended from an ancient chieftain of the MacDonnells of Keppoch who were, in turn, descended from the Lords of the Isles. It has been suggested that the MacKillops or MacGilps may be the sons of Ilpin or Gilpin, in Iam Lom's "Soiidh do'n Ghreumach."

"Some of this name are said to have been standard-bearers to the Campbells of Dunstaffnage, others are included as septs of Macdonald of Glencoe and of Macdonells of Keppoch, and Mackillop also occurs as a surname in Arran. Finlaius Macpilibh, priest of the diocese of Argyll, is in record in 1433, and in 1437 John, son of Fynlaius Prioris Macphilib, appears as perpetual vicar of Kilcalmonell." 1

The MacPhillip or MacPhillips variant reappears later in history as the first record of the branch was found as "Philip, a son of Fingonius, prior of Iona, who was commemorated on a tombstone in Cladh Reg, Kirkapoll, Tiree, 1495. " 1

Early History of the Killip family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Killip research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1433, 1437, 1526, 1532, 1547 and 1659 are included under the topic Early Killip History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Killip Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Killip has appeared as MacKillop, McKillop, MacGilp, McGilp, MacKillip, McKillip, MacGillip, McGillip, MacKillup, McKillup, Kellop, Kellops, Killop, Killup, Gilp, Gillip, Killip, Killips, MacFhilib, MacPhilip and many more.

Early Notables of the Killip family

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

Migration of the Killip family to Ireland

Some of the Killip family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 145 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Killip 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:

Killip Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Killip, aged 57, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867
Hannah Killip, aged 53, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867
Thomas W. Killip, aged 30, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867
Sarah Killip, aged 26, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867
Edward Killip, aged 21, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Osborne" in 1867
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Killip (post 1700) +

Ellsworth Paine Killip (1890-1968), American botanist who identified over 150 species
James A. W. Killip, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania, 1946 2
Christopher David "Chris" Killip (1946-2020), Manx photographer who worked at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html