Kells Genealogical Records

Kells Birth & Baptism Records

Ireland Civil Registration Index (1845-1958)

An index to births, marriages and deaths registered with the Irish government. Provides the child's name, date of registration, place of registration, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a certificate with further details.

Births & Baptisms in Ireland (1620-1922)

A collection of almost 4 million birth and baptisms records from civil, Catholic and Church of Ireland registers.

Catholic Birth & Baptism Registers for Ireland (1763-1912)

Digital images of registers recording the birth and baptism of Catholic families' children. They record around 550,000 births and baptisms, which can be searched by a name index.

British Civil Service Evidence of Age Index (1752-1948)

An index to evidences provided to the British Civil Service Commission to establish the age of prospective and current civil servants. The index includes date & place of birth and provides a reference to surviving documents.

Ireland Birth & Baptism Index (1620-1881)

An index to over 5 million births and baptisms recorded in Ireland. These are predominantly from the 19th century.

Kells Marriage & Divorce Records

UK Divorce Records (1858-1911)

Digital images of documents from civil divorce cases. The cases cover both the cause of the case and the outcome, such as division of property and visitation rights. These records also contain details of illegitimate children. Cases can be searched by a name index.

Ireland Civil Registration Index (1845-1958)

An index to births, marriages and deaths registered with the Irish government. Provides the child's name, date of registration, place of registration, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a certificate with further details.

Ireland Marriages (1619-1898)

Transcripts of more than 850,000 marriage records, including parents' names when listed in the original document.

Catholic Marriage Registers for Ireland (1775-1912)

Digital images of registers recording the marriages of Catholics in Ireland. They record around 150,000 marriages, which can be searched by a name index.

Diocesan & Prerogative Marriage Licence Indexes (1623-1866)

An index to over 210,000 licenses giving permission to marry.

Kells Death & Burial Records

Ireland Civil Registration Index (1845-1958)

An index to births, marriages and deaths registered with the Irish government. Provides the child's name, date of registration, place of registration, mother's maiden name and a reference to order a certificate with further details.

Titanic Deaths at Sea (1912)

Details of crew and passengers who died aboard RMS Titanic. Information given includes date, place & cause of death; gender; age; nationality; profession; and residence.

Marriages in Walker's Hibernian Magazine (1771-1812)

An index to around 13,000 marriages of the upper class of Ireland recorded in a magazine.

Registers of Deaths of Passengers at Sea (1854-1908)

Registers compiled from the logs of ships registered in Britain & her colonies. These records are indexed by named and are connected to original images of the registers. They list the name of the deceased, the date they died, their gender, age, cause of death and the name of the ship they died on.

Irish-American Death Notices (1845-1909)

Transcriptions of over 35,000 death notices of Irish who died in America and other parts of the world.

Kells Census & Population Lists

Censuses of Ireland (1821-1911)

An index to several million names in records delineating families and including important personal details, such as religion, occupation and place of birth.

Ireland Electoral Registers (1885-1886)

An index to and digital images of registers recording people eligible to vote. The records list name, residence, qualification to vote, ratable value of property and sometimes a description of their property.

British Phone Books (1880-1984)

Directories containing over 275,000,000 entries. As well as name, address and phone number, occupations are often recorded. A useful census substitute.

Ireland Census Search Forms (1841-1851)

Over 135,000 surviving extracts from the 1841 and 1851 censuses of Ireland.

Surviving Irish Census Extracts (1821-1851)

An index to almost half a million surviving extracts from largely lost Irish censuses. These records show families, with relations and important genealogical information.

Newspapers Covering Kells

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Reynolds's Newspaper (1850-1900)

Originally founded as a chartist organ, the newspaper became a liberal platform.

Farmer's Gazette & Journal of Practical Horticulture (1845-1870)

Digital images of a newspaper that circulated through Ireland, promoting agriculture, gardening, commerce and manufacturing. It is fully text searchable.

Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (1842-1900)

A popular illustrated, liberal newspaper; one of the most popular in Britain.

Northern Whig (1832-1870)

Digital images of a liberal, unionist newspaper published in Ireland. Pages can be searched by article text.

Kells Wills & Probate Records

Irish Wills Index (1272-1886)

An index to over 100,000 Irish wills.

WWI Irish Soldiers Wills (1914-1920)

Transcripts of over 9,000 wills penned by Irish privates and non-commissioned officers during World War I.

Ireland Wills and Administrations Index (1858-1920)

A name index connected to images of Ireland's civil probate registers. It lists the name of the deceased, residence, status or occupation, type of probate, date of probate and names of the executors or administrators.

Diocesan & Prerogative Probate Indexes (1595-1858)

An index to around 365,000 documents relating to the distribution of deceased person's real and personal estate.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Kells Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

Irish Famine Immigrants (1846-1851)

A record of over 600,000 immigrants arriving in the United States; being predominantly those escaping the Irish famine. Records may contain numerous useful details, such as age or year of birth, native county and intended destination.

Migration from North America to Britain & Ireland (1858-1870)

A list of over 40,000 passengers traveling from North America to the British Isles. Details of passengers may include: occupation, nationality, gender, age, martial status, class, destination, and details of the vessel they sailed on.

Irish Immigrants to Western Canada (1826-1847)

Details of over 700 poor Irish settlers in the Newcastle district of Canada. Contains details of the land they occupy, family and live stock.

Australian Convict Transportation Registers (1791-1868)

Registers recording those who by their criminal deeds were sentenced to be transported to Australia. Records include name, date & place of conviction, term of sentence, ship sailed on, departure date and the name of the colony they were to be sent to.

Kells Military Records

British Army WWI Pension Records (1914-1920)

A variety military service, medical, award and general documents detailing WWI army soldiers who claimed a pension for disability. Contains a great deal of biographical and genealogical details, including physical description and disabilities. Digital images, searchable by a name and place index.

Attleborough In War Time (1914-1918)

A history of the town during WWI, with a list of men and women who served and notes of those who lost their lives.

WWI Commonwealth Casualty Lists (1914-1920)

A list of over 1.3 million British and Commonwealth servicemen who were injured during World War One.

Royal Artillery Attestations (1883-1942)

Detailed records of 858,171 Royal Artillery personnel. The records contain genealogical, biographical and military details.

Royal Tank Corps Enlistment Records (1919-1934)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of 88,096 records detailing biographical, genealogical and service details of the men of the Royal Tank Corps.

Ireland Electoral Registers (1885-1886)

An index to and digital images of registers recording people eligible to vote. The records list name, residence, qualification to vote, ratable value of property and sometimes a description of their property.

Petty Sessions Order Books (1828-1912)

An index to millions of names occurring in minor Irish legal records. The index is linked to images of the original registers.

Ireland Poverty Relief Loans (1821-1874)

An index to and images to various records, including loan application forms. These may list name, residence, names of relatives, loan particulars and more.

Irish Prison Registers (1790-1924)

A index to over 3.5 million names occurring in Irish prison registers. Details provide vary, but may include: name, age, place of birth, abode, religion, occupation, education, physical description, next of kin and details of crimes and sentences Contains images of the original registers.

Famine Relief Commission Papers (1844-1847)

Digital images of thousands of letters and documents detailing the state of Ireland during the famine. The documents can be searched by a name index of over 10,000 people.

Kells Taxation Records

Griffith's Valuation (1847-1864)

An assessment of property in Ireland for taxation purposes. Provides descriptions of properties.

Tithe Applotment Books (1821-1843)

Records detailing occupiers of land in pre-famine Ireland. Contains a description of lands and other details. Original images of the records can be searched by name and place.

Ireland Tithe Applotment Books (1814-1855)

Lists of occupiers of Irish land and tithes to support the established church; arranged by parish.

1831 Tithe Defaulters (1831)

A list of people who refused to pay an annual tax to the Anglican church in Scotland.

Kells Land & Property Records

Landed Estates Court Rentals (1850-1885)

Records detailing tenancies of over 500,000 Irish people. In some cases details may be provided back to the 18th century.

Irish Landowners (1876)

The name and address of people who owned two or more acres of land in Ireland.

Griffith's Valuation (1847-1864)

An assessment of property in Ireland for taxation purposes. Provides descriptions of properties.

Reports from Committees of Fictitious Votes (1837-1838)

Essentially an electoral roll, listing those who were eligible to vote, their occupation, residence and entitlement.

Tithe Applotment Books (1821-1843)

Records detailing occupiers of land in pre-famine Ireland. Contains a description of lands and other details. Original images of the records can be searched by name and place.

Kells Directories & Gazetteers

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

Thom's Official Directory of Ireland (1910)

A directory containing all manner of facts and descriptions of public and other important institutions. Contains various lists of the nobility, gentry and other Irish citizens. Searchable by an index of over 130,000 people.

Kelly's Clergy Directory (1909)

A directory of the Church of England, its institutions and ministers.

Slater's Royal National Directory of Ireland (1894)

A directory listing over 345,000 people in Ireland. Also contains details of public institutions, public houses, churches etc. as well as descriptions of settlements.

Thom's Official Directory: Ireland (1894)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in Ireland. Contains a directory of over 120,000 businesses and residents.

Kells Cemeteries

Ireland Memorial and Burial Register (1618-2005)

A name index connected to transcriptions of over 40,000 gravestones and other memorials in counties Cavan, Donegal, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Meath, Monaghan & Tyrone.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Irish Records Index (1600-1874)

An index to around 100,000 various births, marriages, deaths, burials, cemeteries, wills, immigration, census extracted from Irish sources.

Kells Obituaries

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Irish Independent Newspaper Obituaries (2001-2002)

This database contains extracted genealogical information from the obituaries of the Irish Independent newspaper.

Kells Histories & Books

County Meath Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in County Meath.

Geograph: Photos of the UK and Ireland (2005-Present)

A growing database including millions of photographs of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Ireland catalogued by latitude & longitude and OS grid reference.

Attleborough In War Time (1914-1918)

A history of the town during WWI, with a list of men and women who served and notes of those who lost their lives.

Lawrence's Photographs of Ireland (1870-1910)

An indexed collection of 21,000 photographs covering all of Ireland.

UK Photos (1857-2005)

A collection of 220,000 professional photos covering most towns and villages in Britain, and parts of Ireland.

Kells School & Education Records

Ireland National School Registers (1860-1920)

An index to and images of registers recording 100,000s of Irish schoolchildren. Registers may list name, year of birth, year of registration, age, religion, address, occupation of parent or guardian, name of current and previous school, parish, number of days attendance, class enrolled into, results of exams and date of leaving.

Alumni Dublinenses (1593-1846)

A register of faculty and students educated at Trinity College Dublin. Entries include the individual’s full name, date of entering the college, age of entering, father’s name and address, the degree they received and their graduation date.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Registers of Queen's Colleges Ireland (1849-1858)

Registers recording students who attended a series of non-denominational schools throughout Ireland.

British Army Schoolchildren and Schoolmasters (1803-1932)

Transcripts of over 27,000 entries from admissions, apprentice, and schoolmaster ledgers of the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea and Royal Hibernian Military School in Dublin.

Kells Occupation & Business Records

British Postal Service Appointment Books (1737-1969)

This collection gives brief details on the appointment of over 1.4 million people who worked for the Post Office. Includes references to corresponding data in the Postmaster General’s minute books and is a starting point for research in the rich archive of the British Postal Museum.

Kelly's Leather Trade in Ireland (1915)

A database containing names extracted from Kelly's Directory of the Leather Trade. Contains name, occupation and residence.

Medical Directory for Ireland (1858)

A book containing details of the medical establishment in Ireland, with a list of over 2,700 medical practitioners in Ireland.

British Masters and Mates Certificates (1850-1927)

Records relating to merchant seamen of the British Isles. They may record, date and place of birth, address and details of their maritime career.

Irish Flax Growers (1796)

An index to those who were awarded spinning wheels and looms for growing flax.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Kells

Burke’s Landed Gentry of Ireland (1899)

The first edition of an exclusively Irish directory of the landed gentry printed by Burke's. This publication provides heraldic, genealogical and biographical details on Ireland's foremost untitled landowners. Searchable by an index of over 80,000 names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Irish Pedigrees, Vol. I (0-1880)

Genealogies of notable Irish families, with biographical details and notes on Irish clans and surnames.

Kells Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Burke’s Landed Gentry of Ireland (1899)

The first edition of an exclusively Irish directory of the landed gentry printed by Burke's. This publication provides heraldic, genealogical and biographical details on Ireland's foremost untitled landowners. Searchable by an index of over 80,000 names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Irish Pedigrees, Vol. I (0-1880)

Genealogies of notable Irish families, with biographical details and notes on Irish clans and surnames.

Irish Pedigrees, Vol. II (0-1880)

Genealogies of notable Irish families, with biographical details and notes on Irish clans and surnames.

Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage (1921)

A dictionary of families elevated to the peerage of Great Britain & Ireland. It includes genealogies and biographical details.

Kells Church Records

Irish Catholic Church Directories (1836-1837)

A directory listing all the members of the clergy and parishes in Ireland. Also includes details on clergy in the Empire.

Congregationalist Ministers Index (1650-1972)

Biographical details of around 32,000 Congregationalist ministers in the British Isles and further afield.

Crockford's Clerical Directory (1929)

A directory listing Anglican parishes and other divisions of the Church or England hierarchy and their various religious officers. The directory covers the UK and Anglican churches throughout the world.

Clergy List of 1897 (1897)

Brief biographical details on all Anglican clergy in Britain & the Episcopal Church in Scotland.

Clergy List 1896 (1896)

Brief biographical details on all Anglican clergy in Britain & the Episcopal Church in Scotland.

Biographical Directories Covering Kells

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Chalmers' General Biographical Dictionary (1013-1812)

Detailed biographies of thousands of notable Europeans with details on ancestry.

Dictionary of National Biography (1005-Present)

An index of names connected to over 60,000 biographies of notable British and Irish people from arguably the world's most respected biographical compendium. Gives details on ancestry, careers and personal wealth.

Kelly's Handbook of 1892 (1892)

Brief biographical notes on around 10,000 of Britain's foremost nobles, landowners and professionals.

Kells Maps

Ireland Ordnance Survey Maps (1824-1846)

Digitalised copies of detailed maps covering around 99% of the country.

Taylor & Skinner Road Map of Ireland (1777)

289 maps depicting routes through Ireland.

A Vision of Britain (1190-Present)

A sprawling website setting out and describing the historical divisions of Britain. Also contains countless maps of various sorts. Covers the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man & has fleeting details of other localities.

Speed's Maps of Britain (1612)

County and national maps covering the British Isles, extracted from John Speed's landmark work, Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Kells Reference Works

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

Heraldry Clipart (1189-Present)

A growing collection of heraldic and related clip art that can be used to reconstruct a families' arms. Includes packs for British, German, Austrian, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Polish, Portuguese, French, Swiss and Dutch arms. Images are available in a variety of formats including vectors.

Trade Union Ancestors (1799-Present)

A sprawling site that lists British trade unions, histories of some unions and outlines how to locate records relating to trade union ancestors.

Measuring Worth - GBP (1245-Present)

A calculator measuring the changing value of the British Pound using two price indices.

Historical Description

KELLS, an incorporated market and post-town, and a parish (formerly a parliamentary borough), in the barony of KELLS, county of MEATH,and province of LEINSTER, 8 miles (W. N. W.) from Navan, and 31 (N. W.) from Dublin, on the mail-coach road to Enniskillen; containing 6839 inhabitants, of which number, 4326 are in the town. This place, formerly called Kenlis, is of remote antiquity, and appears to have acquired, at a very early period, a considerable degree of importance. A monastery for Canons Regular was founded here, about the year 550, by St. Columb, on a site granted, it is said, by McKervaill, King of Ireland; and notwithstanding its repeated disasters by conflagration and the ravages of the Danes, it appears to have been the head of a small surrounding diocese, which subsequently merged into that of Meath. The monastery was restored, in 806, by Cellach, abbot of Iona, who had taken refuge here from the Norwegians; but it appears to have been never free from disasters of various kinds till after the arrival of the English. In 1152, the memorable synod of the Irish clergy, at which Cardinal Paparo distributed the four palls to the Archbishops, was assembled here; and in 1156, the whole town, with all its sacred edifices, was destroyed by fire.

The monastery, after its restoration, was plundered in 1172, by Dermod Macmurrough, at the head of a party of English; but, in the year following, Hugh de Lacy bestowed on it such ample grants of land as to entitle him to be regarded as its second founder. In 1176, the town was plundered by some of the native septs, and about the same time a castle was erected for its defence against the O'Nials. Walter, son of Hugh de Lacy, in the reign of Richard I., founded a monastery for Crouched friars, and granted the inhabitants a charter confirming all their privileges, which he made equal to those of the men of Bristol. In addition to its castle, the town was strengthened with mural fortifications, rendered necessary from its situation on the frontier, and was considered one of the most important places in the county. Richard II., in 1388, confirmed the charter of the burgesses granted by Walter de Lacy, and from this period till the time of Henry VI. the town ranked with Trim and Athboy as one of the principal boroughs in Meath; but by repeated wars, and the subsequent dissolution of its richly endowed religious establishments, it materially declined in importance.

It is pleasantly situated on the south-west bank of the river Blackwater, and in 1831 contained 734 houses, in general neatly built, though in some instances without much regularity. The approaches from Dublin and Drogheda are finely embellished with lofty trees, and the general appearance of the town is cheerful and prepossessing. A silk and cotton lace manufactory was established in 1824, and affords employment to about 100 females; the establishment has been patronised by her Majesty, Queen Adelaide, and three medals have been presented by the Dublin society to the proprietor; nearly the whole of the lace is sent to England. There are a brewery and a tannery in the town, and a considerable retail trade is carried on.

The market is on Saturday, and is amply supplied with provisions of all kinds, oats, and meal, with yarn, coarse linens, and merchandise, and also with cattle, sheep, and hogs. Fairs are held under the charter on the Thursday before Shrove-Tuesday, the day before Ascension-day, Sept. 9th, and Oct. 16th, and two new fairs are held on July 16th and Nov. 17th.

There is a chief constabulary police station. Under various charters, of which the last was granted by James II., confirming all existing privileges, the corporation consists of a sovereign (who is a justice of the peace), two provosts, 24 burgesses, a recorder, prothonotary and town-clerk, two serjeants-at-mace, and other officers. The freedom is obtained only by favour. The borough sent members to the Irish parliament from the 2nd of Elizabeth till the Union, when it was disfranchised, and the £15,000 awarded as compensation was paid to Thomas, Earl of Bective.

A court of record was held before the sovereign, with jurisdiction to the amount of 10 marks; but no proceedings have issued from it since 1819. The quarter sessions for the county are held here at Easter and Michaelmas, and petty sessions every week, at which the sovereign presides with the county magistrates in all cases arising within the borough. The sessions-house is a neat building, erected after a design by Mr. Johnston. The bridewell, or house of correction, for the county is a spacious and well-arranged building, adapted to the classification of prisoners.

The parish comprises 8124 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The land is of very good quality; about three-fourths are meadow and pasture, and the remainder arable land in a good state of cultivation. About a mile from the town is Headfort, the noble mansion of the Marquess of Headfort, beautifully situated in a well-planted demesne of more than 1200 statute acres, intersected by the river Blackwater, which within the grounds expands into a fine lake.

On the north side of the town is the handsome residence of the Archdeacon of Meath; and within the parish are Rockfield, the seat of R. Rothwell, Esq.; Drumbarrow, of H. Woodward, Esq.; and Cannonstown, of J. Rothwell, Esq.

The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united from time immemorial to the chapelry of Duleen and the rectories of Rathboyne and Burry, constituting the union of Kells and the corps of the archdeaconry of Meath, in the alternate patronage of the Bishop and the Crown. The tithes of the parish amount to £553. 16. 6., and of the whole union to £1180. 16. 11. The glebe and other lands belonging to the archdeaconry comprise 2170 ¼ statute acres, let on lease and producing £464. 11. 1 ½., with renewal fines of £259. 7. 8 ½., making the gross revenue of the archdeaconry £1904. 15. 9. per annum, exclusively of the mensal lands, comprising 177 ½ acres occupied by him.

The church, to the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £104, is a spacious ancient structure, with a detached square tower on the north side, surmounted by a spire, and erected at the expense of Thomas, first Earl of Bective; on one of the faces of the tower are three busts sculptured in stone, representing a bishop and two other dignitaries, with an inscription recording the rebuilding of the church, in 1572, by Hugh Brady, Bishop of Meath; among others is a fine monument to Sir T. Taylor, first baronet of the Headfort family, and Anne, his wife. Near the church are the remains of an ancient round tower, about 90 feet high, unroofed, and having the entrance on the north; and in the churchyard is an ancient cross, richly decorated.

In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also Girley and Burry, and containing two chapels, situated at Kells and Girley. The former is a spacious and handsome stone building, in the form of a T, with two towers, erected after a design by Mr. Johnston, in 1798, on ground given by the late Marquess of Headfort, who contributed liberally towards the building, and presented a painting of the Assumption, by Raphael, now over the altar. About 110 children are taught in the public schools of the parish, of which the parochial school for boys is supported by the Archdeacon of Meath, and that for girls by the Marquess of Headfort. A new national school upon a large scale is about to be built under the patronage of the Marquess; and there are eight private schools, in which are about 400 children, and a Sunday school. A savings' bank has been established, the deposits in which exceed £20,000.

A bequest of £90 late currency was made by a member of the Garnett family, and £1000 by the late Mr. Dempsey, the former secured on land, and the latter invested in the funds; the produce is annually divided among the poor. Of the ancient abbey, scarcely any traces are now visible; and of the priory founded by Walter de Lacy, nothing but the cemetery remains. The castle occupied the area which was formerly the market-place; and in a contiguous street is a beautiful stone cross, elaborately enriched with sculptured figures and devices, and said to have been raised from the prostrate situation in which it was found by Dean Swift.

There is a small stone-roofed cell, or chapel, called St. Columb Kill's house, of very great antiquity, near which is a very fine well named after that saint; and at Berford, a few miles distant, numerous fossil remains of the moose-deer were found within an artificial enclosure in a bog, and wholly beneath the surface. This place gives the inferior title of Baron Kenlis to the Marquess of Headfort.

Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) by Samuel Lewis; Courtesy & copyright of Mel Lockie

Most Common Surnames in Kells

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Meath
1Smith1391:2113.50%3
2Reilly951:314.82%1
3Maguire601:4816.00%21
4Farrelly501:586.11%5
5Brady411:716.82%9
5Smyth411:714.39%4
7Rourke401:7323.53%68
8Murray361:816.29%11
9Clarke341:854.85%7
10Nulty331:8816.84%51
11Lynch301:972.81%2
11Tormay301:9778.95%375
13Connell271:1087.16%20
13Kelly271:1083.67%6
13Sheridan271:1085.44%12
16Leddy251:11656.82%323
17Daly231:1264.84%13
17Dunne231:1265.67%15
17Irwin231:12633.33%228
17Martin231:1266.08%19
21Fox221:1325.66%18
22Morris211:13823.08%165
22Tully211:1389.63%42
24Carry201:14520.00%147
24McGuinness201:1458.89%40
24Mulvany201:14516.39%116
24Newman201:14511.43%62
28FitzSimons191:1535.49%23
28Tevlin191:15324.05%192
30Caffrey181:1616.10%27
30Monaghan181:1616.10%27
32Bradley171:17112.23%97
32Byrne171:1712.67%8
32Callaghan171:1718.21%46
32McCabe171:1715.99%29
32Nugent171:17114.05%118
37Crosby161:18222.86%222
37Grimes161:18251.61%445
37Higgins161:18211.85%101
37Mooney161:1825.16%26
37O'Reilly161:18218.18%170
42McDonnell151:1945.79%36
42Skelly151:19415.31%151
44Connolly141:2079.46%86
44Kiernan141:2076.60%43
44O'Brien141:2074.93%29
47Healy131:2239.29%95
48Connor121:2423.66%24
48Gavin121:24248.00%509
48Henry121:24212.37%154
48Hoey121:24211.11%134
48McNamee121:24213.79%175
48Nelson121:24226.09%309
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54Duffy111:2643.01%22
54Knox111:26484.62%801
54McGovern111:2646.75%77
54Traynor111:26412.36%167
59Carolan101:2902.55%17
59Dillon101:2907.46%103
59Finegan101:2906.54%81
59McMahon101:2905.75%63
59McManus101:29019.61%286
59Mullen101:2905.24%52
59Roark101:290100.00%957
59Robinson101:29034.48%468
59Ryan101:2905.95%72
59Swift101:29058.82%665
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70Armstrong91:32312.86%222
70Black91:32326.47%414
70Brown91:3239.57%156
70Carr91:32312.33%213
70Dolan91:3236.52%99
70Duignan91:3238.41%137
70Gilney91:32360.00%720
70Gilsenan91:3236.16%88
70Healey91:32369.23%801
70Keane91:32323.68%375
70King91:3234.84%56
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70McGuiness91:32317.31%280
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70Phillips91:32319.57%309
70Reynolds91:3233.46%35
70Roarke91:32352.94%665
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70Williams91:32315.79%258
91Arkins81:363100.00%1,104
91Dick81:363100.00%1,104
91Farrell81:3631.37%10
91Govern81:36314.29%264
91Kearney81:3634.23%54
91McEnaney81:36372.73%905
91Plunkett81:3635.63%93
91Russell81:3639.41%181
91Tobin81:3639.88%187
91Young81:36315.09%276
101Boyle71:4153.74%55
101Cooney71:4156.80%142
101Devine71:41514.58%301
101Flood71:4152.52%33
101Flynn71:4153.43%47
101Forbes71:41587.50%1,104
101Freeman71:41570.00%957
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101Gerrard71:41512.73%268
101Gogarty71:4156.14%124
101Griffin71:41511.48%246
101Hackett71:41520.00%405
101Harriss71:415100.00%1,199
101Kavanagh71:4156.14%124
101Keelan71:4157.07%150
101Kiernnan71:415100.00%1,199
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101Madden71:4155.34%107
101Masterson71:4157.00%147
101Matthews71:4155.30%106
101McDermott71:4154.27%75
101Moore71:4152.75%38
101Norris71:41518.42%375
101O'Connor71:41510.00%222
101O'Neill71:4154.96%94
101Somerville71:41546.67%720
127Andrews61:4846.74%167
127Beattie61:48485.71%1,199
127Bennett61:4843.49%65
127Beveridge61:48466.67%1,023
127Boylan61:4843.24%58
127Casey61:4846.98%177
127Cheevers61:48440.00%720
127Conaty61:48417.65%414
127Coyle61:4843.97%83
127Finnegan61:4845.08%122
127Foley61:4846.59%165
127Green61:48418.18%429
127Grogan61:48415.38%367
127Hall61:48428.57%583
127Heary61:48411.76%286
127Keenan61:48413.95%340
127Leahy61:48466.67%1,023
127McGivern61:48485.71%1,199
127McNally61:4844.80%113
127McQuaid61:48466.67%1,023
127Moran61:4843.64%74
127Mullan61:48466.67%1,023
127O'Shea61:484100.00%1,329
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154Aughey51:58183.33%1,329
154Bell51:5816.76%212
154Bentley51:581100.00%1,465
154Blaney51:58141.67%851
154Canton51:58183.33%1,329
154Clinton51:5817.04%217
154Cully51:58120.00%509
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154Glancy51:58133.33%720
154Hand51:5814.50%131
154Hewitt51:58155.56%1,023
154Kellett51:5818.47%252
154Laracy51:581100.00%1,465
154Marsh51:581100.00%1,465
154McGillick51:58123.81%583
154McMillan51:581100.00%1,465
154McQuaile51:58171.43%1,199
154Mills51:58183.33%1,329
154Murphy51:5811.26%16
154Nevins51:58115.63%436
154Richardson51:58123.81%583
154Rothwell51:58120.00%509
154Vaughan51:58117.24%468
181Allen41:7263.10%111
181Bray41:7266.35%239
181Brien41:7260.87%14
181Butler41:7269.09%323
181Corcoran41:7265.63%217
181Corrigan41:7262.90%99
181Davis41:72612.90%445
181Elliott41:7269.09%323
181Fanelly41:72680.00%1,465
181Fowler41:72620.00%602
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181Higginson41:726100.00%1,668
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181Hughes41:7261.90%44
181Julia41:72680.00%1,465
181Kane41:7264.55%170
181Kenny41:7263.28%116
181Lawless41:7268.51%306
181McDonagh41:72611.43%405
181McEntee41:7265.71%222
181McQuade41:72620.00%602
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181Pidgeon41:72680.00%1,465
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181Sweeney41:7264.08%151
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181Trimble41:726100.00%1,668
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