Map of England showing where the Mckillop arms are recorded
The Mckillop arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Mckillop arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Mckillop Family in England
The surname McKillop is rooted in the Gaelic language, originating from the phrase "Mac Fhilib," which translates to "son of Philip." While the name is most commonly associated with the rugged landscapes of Scotland, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in York, England, as early as 1620. During this period, the movement of families between Scotland and Northern England was often driven by trade, religious shifts, and the search for new economic opportunities. These early McKillops in York likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes, adapting to the social structures of a growing English city while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. By settling in York, these individuals helped bridge the cultural traditions of their Gaelic heritage with the evolving local customs of seventeenth-century England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Giolla Phádraig
Son of the servant or devotee of Saint Patrick.
This name
MckillopDerived from Gaelic, signifying a descendant of a dedicated follower of Saint Patrick.
also spelled
McKillop
Killop
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Bardsley, Charles Wareing Endell. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames. 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. Archbishop of York’s Diocesan Records: Parish Registers of York
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stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
