Show ContentsQuilty History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Quilty family

The surname Quilty was first found in Munster, where they held a family seat as chiefs in Limerick descended from Cuallta (a wolf) who was descended from the ancient Earls of Dunraven. Irish history was greatly influenced by the Norman invasion of 1172, and thereafter, the surnames of Irish Gaelic clanns and septs and many of the Norman families became almost indistinguishable. 1

Early History of the Quilty family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Quilty research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1014 is included under the topic Early Quilty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Quilty Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Quilty, Kielty, Kieltagh, O'Kielt, Keelty, Quiltie, MacQuilty, MacWilty, MacQuiltie, Kealty, Keilty, Keiltagh, O'Quilty and many more.

Early Notables of the Quilty family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

  • the Quilty family of Limerick and Ulster

Quilty Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Quilty is the 808th most popular surname with an estimated 50 people with that name. 2


Quilty migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Quilty Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mary Quilty, aged 20, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Prentice" in 1841 3
  • Patk Quilty, aged 38, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Prentice" in 1841 3
  • Michael Quilty, aged 7, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Susan E Howd" in 1845 3
  • Jno Quilty, aged 33, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Susan E Howd" in 1845 3
  • Cathe Quilty, aged 34, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Susan E Howd" in 1845 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Quilty migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Quilty Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Quilty, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1821
  • Anne Quilty, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1853

Quilty migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Quilty Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Francis Quilty, (b. 1801), aged 17, Irish convict who was convicted in Kilkenny, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 9th August 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1875 4
  • Robert Quilty, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Joseph Rowan" 5
  • Mary Quilty, aged 23, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Constantine"
Quilty Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. E. Quilty, aged 31, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Osterley" in 1916 6
  • P. J. Quilty, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Gascoyne" in 1928 6
  • Miss Ann Quilty, British settler who arrived in Brisbane, Australia aboard the ship "Mongolia" in 1937 6
  • Mr. Anthony Quilty, British settler who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Largs Bay" in 1947 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Quilty (post 1700) +

  • John Quilty (1921-1969), Canadian professional (NHL) hockey player who won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1941
  • Sean Patrick Quilty (1966-2022), Australian long-distance runner who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics
  • Tom Quilty (1887-1979), Australian Rancher, Philanthropist, and Poet

HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. John Edward Quilty (1917-1941), Australian Acting Petty Officer from Footscray, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 7
SS Southern Cross
  • Mr. James Quilty (1893-1914), Newfoundlander from Horse Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)
  2. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  3. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  5. South Australian Register Saturday 17th June 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Joseph Rowan 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/josephrowan1854.shtml
  6. National Archives of Australia retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au
  7. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp


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