Quillan first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Quillan has been for the last 42 years (from 1982 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Quillan

An Irish name meaning "green" or "fertile land."

Popularity of Quillan by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Quillan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Quillan.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 10 0
2022 8 0
2021 14 0
2020 11 0
2019 19 0
2018 17 0
2017 13 0
2016 13 0
2015 10 0
2014 8 0
2013 9 0
2012 9 0
2011 13 0
2010 11 0
2009 5 0
2008 5 0
2007 7 0
2006 5 0
2005 8 0
2004 8 0
2003 10 0
2002 10 0
2001 9 0
2000 10 0
1998 9 0
1997 13 0
1996 10 0
1995 9 0
1994 15 0
1993 10 0
1992 10 0
1991 14 0
1990 9 0
1988 8 0
1985 6 0
1983 5 0
1982 6 0

The history of the first name Quillan

The name Quillan is of Celtic origin, deriving from the Old Breton word "quillen," which means "hazel tree." It is believed to have originated in the region of Brittany, located in modern-day northwest France, during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Quillan can be found in the 12th-century Breton manuscript "Cartulaire de Quimperlé," which mentions a person named "Quillan ap Gwilherm." This document serves as evidence of the name's usage in ancient Brittany.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Quillan. One of the most prominent figures was Quillan the Bard, a 13th-century Welsh poet and storyteller who is credited with preserving many ancient Welsh tales and legends through his oral traditions.

Another notable bearer of the name was Quillan of Armorica, a 5th-century Christian missionary and saint who is venerated in parts of Brittany and Cornwall. His life and works are documented in the "Acta Sanctorum," a collection of biographies of saints compiled by the Bollandists.

In the 16th century, Quillan de Lannion was a renowned Breton navigator and explorer who participated in several voyages to the Americas and helped establish French settlements in present-day Canada.

Moving forward in time, Quillan O'Flaherty (1809-1892) was an Irish-born Australian explorer and surveyor who played a significant role in mapping the interior regions of Australia during the 19th century.

More recently, Quillan Roberts (1958-2021) was a Welsh actor and playwright known for his contributions to the Welsh language theatre scene and his advocacy for the preservation of Welsh culture and traditions.

While the name Quillan has its roots in ancient Celtic cultures, it has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be used across various parts of the world, carrying with it a rich history and cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Quillan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Quillan, please contact us.

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"Quillan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 28, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/quillan-meaning-and-history/.

"Quillan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/quillan-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 28 May, 2025

Quillan first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/quillan-meaning-and-history/.

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