Surname Kilgore - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering My Ancestors: A Journey into the Vikings' Era and Scottish Highlands with My Kilgore Surname
Unveiling the mysteries of my ancestry with iGENEA DNA test, I have discovered fascinating insights into the historical and cultural backstory of my surname, Kilgore. The name, steeped in both Norse & Scottish traditions, offers a captivating journey back into the era of the formidable Vikings, thus underlining the dynamic intermingling of cultures in the past.
G. Kilgore
read moreKilgore: What does the surname Kilgore mean?
The last name Kilgore is of Irish origin and may be an anglicized form of the surname Mac Giolla Ghobhainn. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word “giolla” which translates to “devotee” or “servant” and “gobha”- to smith. Thus, the literal translation of the surname is “servant smith.” The surname may have been bestowed upon an ancestor because of their occupation as a blacksmith.
In Scotland, the surname has been recorded under the variant spellings Kilgor, which is an Anglicization of an originally Gaelic name. It was a nickname for one with red hair, as well as derived from the Gaelic for “freckled.” It is also believed to be derived from a place name, which in turn evolved from a personal name; in this case, Mac Gowran or MacGoron.
Today, the Kilgore surname is most famously known for the tollgate and trading post established in 1793 by Revolutionary War veteran James Kilgore in Giles County, Virginia. The Kilgore name was later associated with the dairy products, ice cream, and cheese produced at Kilgore Farms, a family owned and operated business based in Tennessee.
Although its precise origin is unknown, the Kilgore surname is believed to have been derived from an ancient Gaelic personal or place name. The meaning and history behind the name can be found in its various spellings and multiple origins.
Order DNA origin analysisKilgore: Where does the name Kilgore come from?
The last name Kilgore is most common in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were approximately 33,383 Kilgore families living in the United States as of 2018. It is most prevalent in the southern states – Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina – in that order. It is especially common in the mid-South, with 21,225 Kilgore families living in those five states.
Beyond the U.S., the last name Kilgore is found in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The largest population outside of the U.S. is in Canada, with at least 1,102 families bearing the name. In Australia, there were an estimated 135 Kilgore families, while the UK had more than 61. The name has also appeared in records in Mexico, India, Pakistan, and throughout Europe.
The oldest record of the surname Kilgore is found in Scotland, with the name James Kylegore (a variant of Kilgore) appearing in records dating back to the late 1500s. It is unclear whether or not the Scottish Kilgores are related to the Kilgores in the southern U.S., but it is likely that the two family lines are related in some way.
Overall, the last name Kilgore is most common in the southern United States, though it can also be found throughout the United States and in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Kilgore
The surname Kilgore is derived from the Irish form of the Gaelic name "MacGillgathach," which literally translates to "son of a servant of St. Cathach." This family name is an Anglicization of two separate surnames: MacGiollaGathach and Ó Cuilleagóid, which are historically found in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The most common variants of the Kilgore surname are MacGillgathach, Gillgore, Kilgor, Killgore, Killgor, Kilgoor, Kilgray, Kilgraye, Kegler, Kilgre, Kilger, Killger, Kilghar, Gilghar, Kilgar, Kilgarr, and Kilgear.
Surnames related to Kilgore include Gilgur, Gilgore, Killigore, Killigar, Killeagar, Killeger, and MacGilligaw. Other spellings of Kilgore include Kilgae, Kilgoree, and Killgar.
Many people who had the Kilgore surname emigrated from Northern Ireland to the United States, Canada, or Australia. Over the course of time, the spellings and variant forms of the surname have changed in each country as well.
In some cases, individuals who had the Kilgore surname changed it to other variants, such as Kilgours or Kilgoures, in order to sound less Irish. Additionally, some individuals adopted the more English-sounding surname, Gill, as an alternative to the Irish-derived Kilgore.
Famous people with the name Kilgore
- Tristen Kilgore: American actor and musician known for Nashville, Narnia, and Atlanta.
- Burt Kilgore: former US Senator from West Virginia.
- Shareef Kilgore: former professional football player.
- Pinky Kilgore: Step-mother of Reba McEntire and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Joseph Kilgore: former Texas State Senator and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas.
- C. Kenyon Kilgore: former professional football player.
- Hal Kilgore: NFL player who played for multiple teams in the 1960s.
- Angie Kilgore: Country music singer-songwriter.
- Hunter Kilgore: American actor who is best known for his role in the Netflix film Horse Girl.
- Celia Kilgore: American actress best known for her roles in The Outcasts and For the Love of Mike.
- Ferd Kilgore: a professional bull rider and champion bronc, and steer wrestler.
- William Kilgore: American lawyer and a former Associate Deputy Attorney General.
- Dionne Kilgore: African American painter and entrepreneur.
- Conrad Kilgore: former Insurance Commissioner of South Carolina.
- William E. Kilgore: American politician who served in the West Virginia House of Delegates.
- Kaylee Kilgore: American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, CA.
- Russell Kilgore: Surgeon General of the United States Navy.
- Steve Kilgore: former US Congressman from Arkansas.
- Dusty Kilgore: musician who has been a member of various bands since the 1980s.
- Stephen Kilgore: country music artist best known for his single “It Ain’t Right”.