Show ContentsKilough History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Kilough family

The surname Kilough was first found in Durham at Kelloe, a parish, partly in the union of Durham, and partly in that of Easington. "The manor of Kelloe, which is situated near the road from Stockton to Durham, and comprises about 1500 acres, appears to have given name to the family of Kelloe or Kellaw, of whom Richard de Kellaw, a native of the parish, was Bishop of Durham in 1311." 1

Another early branch of the family was found in Cornwall. "Rosellian or Rosillian, in this parish, was anciently the seat of the Trehawkes, and after them that of the Kellows or Kellios. These were succeeded by the Scobells, from whom it passed to John Deeble, Esq. by whom it was devised to John Rogers, Esq. whose son Richard Rogers, Esq. is the present proprietor. Before Rosellian passed from the Kellios to the Scobells, it afforded for some time a residence to Shadrach Vincent, Esq. whose wife was a co-heiress of the Kellio family." 2

"The old mansion of Kellio, [in the parish of Cornelly] which is now occupied also by a farmer, was in ancient times a seat belonging to a family of this name. Descending to an heiress, it was carried by her in marriage to Tredenham of Probus, after which Kellio continued the seat of the Tredenhams for several generations. From this family it passed to the Trevanions, of whom it has lately been purchased by Lord Falmouth." 2

"Kelliow [in the parish of Kea, Cornwall] was a seat of a family of this name, from whom it passed by female heirs, first to the family of Vivian, and then to Haweis." 2

Early History of the Kilough family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kilough research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1273, 1453, 1549 and 1562 are included under the topic Early Kilough History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kilough Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Kilough occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Kellow, Kello, Kelloe and others.

Early Notables of the Kilough family

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

Migration of the Kilough family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Kilough, or a spelling variation of the surname include: R. and W. Kellow settled in Baltimore Maryland in 1822.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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