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Irish surname

Killeen: Irish Surname History & Coat of Arms

Ó Cillín · 'descendant of Cillín' (a 'pet' diminutive of Ceallach, war)

Woulfe (1923) gives Killeen under Ó Cillín, 'descendant of Cillín' (a 'pet' diminutive of Ceallach, war), and says it is the name of several distinct families in different parts of the country. In 1890 there were 40 Killeen birth entries in Ireland.

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Coat of arms associated with the Killeen surname
Irish formÓ Cillín
Meaning'descendant of Cillín' (a 'pet' diminutive of Ceallach, war)
CountiesClare, Mayo, King's, Galway
Other spellings5
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Killeen crest gifts

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Origin of the Killeen name

Woulfe: 'the name of several distinct families in different parts of the country, as Clare, Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, Offaly, Kildare and Down, in all of which it is still extant.'[1]

  1. 1106Four Masters: Cormac Ua Cillin, airchinneach of the Teach-aeidheadh of Cluain-mic-Nois, is named.[4]
  2. 1443Four Masters: O'Flynn of Sil-Maelruain and some of his kindred were slain by the Clann-Costello at the house of O'Killeen.[5]
  3. 189040 Killeen birth entries in Ireland: Leinster 12, Munster 16, Connaught 12.[2]

Where in Ireland

Co. ClareOne of the places Woulfe names for the distinct families; also printed by Matheson for 1890.[1][2]
Co. MayoOne of the places Woulfe names; also printed by Matheson for 1890.[1][2]
Co. King'sPrinted by Matheson as a county where Killeen was principally found in 1890.[2]
Co. GalwayOne of the places Woulfe names for the distinct families.[1]
Co. WestmeathOne of the places Woulfe names for the distinct families.[1]
Co. OffalyOne of the places Woulfe names for the distinct families.[1]
Co. KildareOne of the places Woulfe names for the distinct families.[1]
Co. DownOne of the places Woulfe names for the distinct families.[1]

Other spellings

Killen · Killian · Killion · O Killine · O'Killeen[1]

The Killeen coat of arms

The design shown is a coat of arms associated with the Killeen surname. In Irish and British heraldry a coat of arms is granted to one person and passes to their heirs; it does not belong to everyone who shares the surname. Many families still use the arms of their name as a symbol of their heritage.

Killeen surname: questions

What does the surname Killeen mean?

Woulfe gives Killeen under Ó Cillín, 'descendant of Cillín', where Cillín is a 'pet' diminutive of Ceallach (war).[1]

Where in Ireland is the Killeen name from?

Woulfe says it is the name of several distinct families in different parts of the country, as Clare, Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, Offaly, Kildare and Down. Matheson prints 'Clare, Mayo, and King's' as the counties where it was principally found in 1890.[1][2]

Do all Killeens belong to one family?

Woulfe describes Ó Cillín as the name of several distinct families, so no single family is given for the name.[1]

Is Killeen the same as Killen or Killian?

Woulfe lists Killen, Killian and Killion among the forms printed under Ó Cillín.[1]

Sources

  1. Ó Cillín — Irish Names and Surnames (Rev. Patrick Woulfe, 1923), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/names/oc/o-cillin.php
  2. Killeen — Birth Indexes of 1890 — Special Report on Surnames in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1909), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/report/births/killeen.php
  3. Killeen — Varieties and Synonymes of Surnames and Christian Names in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1901), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/varieties/list/1016.php
  4. Annals of the Four Masters (trans. John O'Donovan), 1106 — CELT edition, CELT, University College Cork. celt.ucc.ie/published/T100005B/text021.html
  5. Annals of the Four Masters (trans. John O'Donovan), 1443 — CELT edition, CELT, University College Cork. celt.ucc.ie/published/T100005D/text008.html

Note: Matheson's 1890 figures for a surname include its spelling varieties (Matheson, Table Explanation).