Last Name Kilbane

The surname Kilbane is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Mac Giobháin, which translates to "son of the little servant." It is a variant of the more common Irish surnames O'Gibbon or Gibbons. The name originated from County Mayo in Ireland and is associated with various septs (clans) within that county. The Kilbanes were one of the hereditary chiefs of the ancient territory of Uisneach in Mayo. However, it should be noted that surnames did not become widespread in Ireland until after the 12th century, and their origins can often be traced to the High Middle Ages when they began to replace the Gaelic system of bynames.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Kilbane

The meaning and origin of the last name Kilbane

The surname Kilbane originates from Ireland, specifically County Mayo and County Roscommon. It is an Anglicized version of several Gaelic names, primarily O'Ciardhubhain or Mac Giolla Chiaráin, meaning "descendant of the vigorous-hound" or "servant of St. Kieran." The name evolved over time due to English influence, with various spellings such as Kilbane, Kilbanes, Keelbanes, and others emerging. The Anglicization process began in the 16th century, when Ireland was under English rule, as a means for the English authorities to keep track of the Irish population.

Geographical distribution of the last name Kilbane

The surname Kilbane is primarily distributed across Ireland, particularly in counties Mayo and Sligo, which are located in the west of the country. These areas have historically been associated with the O'Kilbans, an Irish sept, or clan, that originated from County Roscommon. Over time, Kilbane emigrants have dispersed to various parts of the world. In North America, significant populations of people with the last name Kilbane can be found in the United States, particularly in states such as Michigan, Illinois, and Massachusetts, as well as in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. Other countries with notable Kilbane populations include Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kilbane

The surname Kilbane has various spelling variants due to transcribing and translating errors over time. Some of these variations include Kilbain, Kildavan, Kildavin, Kildaven, Kildevan, Kildavine, Kildevin, and Kildabin. These variations can be found across different regions and countries where the name originated, particularly in Ireland. The name is derived from a place-name meaning "the church of Saint David," with "Kil" being the old Irish for "church" and "Davin" referring to Saint David, who was an early Christian saint. This surname has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history, including boxer Kevin Kilbane and footballers Paul Kilbane and Stephen Kilbane.

Famous people with the last name Kilbane

Notable individuals with the surname Kilbane include:

1. Steve Kilbane: A retired American professional soccer player who played as a midfielder for teams such as DC United, Columbus Crew, and Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer (MLS). He also represented the United States national team at the international level.

2. Liam Kilbane-White: An Irish former professional footballer who played as a striker. He spent most of his career with Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division, making over 300 appearances for the club and scoring more than 150 goals.

3. Mick Kilbane: An American politician and lawyer who served as the Mayor of Fitchburg, Massachusetts from 2014 to 2018. Prior to his mayoral term, he was a city councilor for seven years and worked in private practice as an attorney.

4. Jimmy Kilbane: A former professional boxer from Ireland who held the European Middleweight title from 1978 to 1981. He is considered one of the greatest Irish boxers of all time.

5. Kevin Kilbane: A retired Irish soccer player who played as a midfielder for teams like Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, and Sunderland in the English Premier League, as well as the Republic of Ireland national team. He is currently a pundit and analyst for BT Sport.

Genealogical research on the last name Kilbane

The Kilbane surname is predominantly of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic O Ceallabháin, meaning "descendant of Ceallaban." Ceallaban was a personal name based on ceall, meaning 'church' or 'cell,' referencing a monk or someone associated with a religious institution. The surname Kilbane can be found in various counties throughout Ireland, with significant concentrations in counties Mayo, Galway, and Roscommon. Notable individuals with the last name Kilbane include John J. Kilbane, an American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district from 1933 to 1935; and Jack Kilbane, a professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1876 to 1879.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Kilbane"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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