Find out how popular the last name Kilbreth is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Kilbreth.

Kilbreth, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Kilbreth surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kilbreth in America

Kilbreth is the 124548th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kilbreth surname appeared 138 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kilbreth.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kilbreth to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Kilbreth

The surname Kilbreth has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic phrase "cill breith," which translates to "church of judgment" or "church of the judge." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who lived near a church or held positions of authority within the church or local community.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Kilbreth can be found in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of homage rolls from Scottish nobles and landowners to King Edward I of England in the late 13th century. This document lists a Robert de Kilbreth, who was likely a landowner or nobleman from the region.

In the 16th century, historical records mention a John Kilbreth, who was a prominent merchant and trader based in Edinburgh. His business dealings and travels throughout Europe likely contributed to the spread of the name across various regions.

The Kilbreth name has also been linked to several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Sir William Kilbreth (1608-1672), a Scottish soldier and politician who served as a Member of Parliament during the English Civil War. He was known for his staunch support of the Royalist cause.

Another notable bearer of the Kilbreth name was Margaret Kilbreth (1743-1821), a renowned author and poet from the Scottish Highlands. Her works, which often explored themes of nature and Scottish culture, were widely celebrated during her lifetime.

In the 19th century, James Kilbreth (1832-1902) made a name for himself as a pioneering engineer and inventor. His contributions to the development of early steam engines and industrial machinery were recognized both in Scotland and abroad.

Throughout the centuries, variations in the spelling of the name have emerged, including Kilbraith, Kilbrath, and Kilbreth. These variations often reflect regional dialects and linguistic changes over time, but all share a common ancestry rooted in the Scottish Highlands and the Gaelic language.

While the Kilbreth name may not be as widely recognized today as it once was, its rich history serves as a testament to the diverse cultural heritage and contributions of Scottish families throughout the ages.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kilbreth

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Kilbreth.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kilbreth was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Kilbreth has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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