About the name
- Origin
- Irish
- English version
- Killian, Kilian
- Variants
- Cilléne, Killian
- Stronghold region
- All-Ireland
Overview
Borne by Saint Cillian, the 7th-century Apostle of Franconia, martyred in Würzburg, Germany; one of Ireland's most venerated missionary saints abroad.
The story behind Cillian
Saint Cillian and his companions Colmán and Totnan were martyred in 689 in Würzburg, Franconia, after Cillian rebuked the local duke for his irregular marriage; Cillian became patron saint of the Würzburg diocese.
Mythology & legend
Non-mythological; 7th-century missionary saint.
Did you know?
Saint Killian is the patron saint of the German city of Würzburg.
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