Show ContentsMcCeleck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the first family to use the name McCeleck lived among the Boernician tribe of ancient Scotland. They lived in Aberdeen (part of the modern Grampian region.)

They may have been descended from Bishop and Saint Cellach (6th century) of Killala in the county of Mayo, the eldest son of Eogan Bél, fourth Christian king of Connaught. 1 Another source presumes the name originated with "Chelioc, or Kulliag (Cornish British), a cock, coileach, in Gaelic, and ceiliog, in Welsh, the C having the sound of K. " 2

Early Origins of the McCeleck family

The surname McCeleck was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland. More recently, leading seamen in the Commonwealth Navies addressed as "leader", and informally known as "kellicks" from the killick anchor which is the symbol of their rank.

Early History of the McCeleck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCeleck research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1372 is included under the topic Early McCeleck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCeleck Spelling Variations

Boernician names that evolved in the largely preliterate Middle Ages are often marked by considerable spelling variations. McCeleck has been spelled Kellogg, Kellock, Kelloch, Kellog, Kellogh, MacKelloch, MacKellock and many more.

Early Notables of the McCeleck family

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

Ireland Migration of the McCeleck family to Ireland

Some of the McCeleck family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McCeleck family

Some of the Boernician-Scottish Clan families who came to North America were Loyalists who went north to Canada after the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border went on to found two of the world's great nations. This century, families with Scottish roots have rediscovered their heritage through highland games and clan societies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name McCeleck or a variant listed above: James Kellock, who was a servant, who arrived in Virginia in 1661; Alice Kellogg, who came to Hartford, CT in 1637; Daniel Kellogg, who arrived in Connecticut in 1651.



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.


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