Kielty
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "cuilteach" meaning cultivator or farmer.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 925 Americans carry the last name Kielty. That puts it at #29,366 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.27 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 370,545 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kielty surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
925
1 in 370,545
Census rank
#29,366
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
805
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 805 bearers of the surname Kielty in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.27 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 29366th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kielty, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.1%) and Two or More Races (1.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kielty
The surname Kielty originated in Ireland and is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "ciaológ" meaning "frequenter of churches or chapels". This name is believed to have first appeared in the county of Donegal in the northwest of Ireland.
The earliest known record of the surname Kielty can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history written in the early 17th century. In these annals, the name is spelled "Ciaológ" and refers to a family from the region of Inishowen in Donegal.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the anglicized spelling of "Kielty" began to emerge as the Gaelic name was adapted to the English language. This was a common occurrence as many Irish names were anglicized during this period.
One of the earliest known bearers of the Kielty surname was Patrick Kielty, a Catholic priest born in Donegal in 1620. He was known for his work in establishing several churches and chapels in the area, which may have contributed to the origin of the family name.
Another notable Kielty was John Kielty, born in County Tyrone in 1745. He was a prominent merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the economic development of the region during the late 18th century.
In the 19th century, the Kielty surname began to spread beyond Ireland as many Irish families emigrated to other parts of the world. One notable bearer of the name during this time was Michael Kielty, born in Donegal in 1820. He emigrated to the United States and became a successful businessman in New York City.
Other notable individuals with the surname Kielty include:
1. Patrick Kielty, a Northern Irish comedian and television presenter born in 1971.
2. Kathleen Kielty, an Irish actress and singer born in 1935 and known for her roles in several films and television shows.
3. John Kielty, an American baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox in the early 20th century, born in 1884.
4. James Kielty, an Irish politician and member of the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) in the 1920s, born in 1885.
5. Elizabeth Kielty, an Irish author and poet born in 1945, known for her works exploring themes of identity and cultural heritage.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kielty
Among Census respondents with the surname Kielty, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.1%) and Two or More Races (1.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Kielty bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Kielty surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.7%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- Two or more races1.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kielty surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #29,366 | #29,366 | 0.0% |
| Count | 805 | 805 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kielty bearers went from 805 to 805 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #29,366 to #29,366.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Kielty
FAQ
Kielty surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kielty?
The surname Kielty holds position #29,366 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 925 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.27 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kielty surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kielty, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.7%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.1%) and Two or More Races (1.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.