Kilgour

Kilgour is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the lands of Kilgour in Fife, Scotland. The name is believed to be locational, referring to someone who hailed from the area of Kilgour.

History and Distribution

The Kilgour surname can be traced back to medieval Scotland, with records dating as far back as the 13th century. The surname is primarily found in Scotland and has also spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Meaning and Origin

The name Kilgour is believed to be of Gaelic origin, with "Cill" meaning "church" and "gobhar" meaning "goat." Therefore, Kilgour could be interpreted to mean "church of the goat." Alternatively, the name could also be derived from the Gaelic words "coille" (wood) and "gobhar" (goat), suggesting a location near a wooded area where goats roamed.

Notable People

  • Ian Kilgour: Renowned Scottish architect known for his innovative designs.
  • Lesley Kilgour: British historian and author specialising in medieval Scottish history.

Variants

Variants of the Kilgour surname include Kilgore, Kilgour, and MacIlgour.

References

  • Reaney, Percy H., and Wilson, Richard M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 1997.
  • Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003.

There are approximately 1,548 people named Kilgour in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,229th most common surname in Britain. Around 24 in a million people in Britain are named Kilgour.

Surname type: From name of parent

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alexander
  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • William

Female

  • Ann
  • Anne
  • Catherine
  • Elizabeth
  • Gillian
  • Jane
  • Jean
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sandra
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Zeba

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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