Quilty Family History

Recorded as the very rare McQuilty, Quilty, Keelty, Keeltagh and O'Kielt, this is an Irish surname. It originates from the pre 10th century Gaelic surname O' Caoilte meaning the male descendant of Caol, a nickname for a slender person, from caol meaning small or slight, or from coillte meaning woods or forest and hence a topographical name for a resident in a wooded area. The form as (Mc)Quilty is mainly to be found in the province of Munster and especially in County Limerick, whereas, the variants Kielty and Keetlty are more widespread in Connacht.