What do you think was the original spelling of this Irish name?

[PatCT]

I discovered that my husband's 2nd great aunt married a Michael Cuyler or Kuyler or Kieler or (today) Kilor.  He was born in New York City, but his parents were born in Ireland.  I've seen Cuyler and Kuyler in censuses, Kieler on their children's baptismal records and, from about 1900 on, the family name is Kilor.  Any thoughts on the original spelling?
Thanks
Pat

[Sinann]

I never came across the name before, there is one family in the 1901 Census in County Down, and looking online it appears to be a Dutch name. The Irish Times don't include in in their surname list but there are some Colyers in Limerick in the 1860s

You can they out variations here http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/

Have you any idea of dates when they were in Ireland?

[Rosinish]

The name looks foreign, doesn't look Irish or Gaelic?

You could check these out.........

http://forebears.io/surnames/kuyler

http://www.myirishancestors.co.uk/irish-surnames.html#K

http://www.dochara.com/the-irish/surnames/irish-surnames-k-l/

http://www.irishpenpals.org/surname/irish-family-surnames.php

Annie

[Sinann]

Irish Genealogy church records are usually good for throwing up variations but in this case it doesn't although it has one Cuyler in Dublin in 1837 and another in Cork in 1795 so there was the odd one or two around.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01gct/

[Rena]

It looks foreign to me too.  The usual spelling is Keeler - a man who makes "keels" for boats.

When you check all the spellings on the Distribution map (website already given), you'll get a good idea of which country of origin each of the spellings has.

Having said that - I see on familysearch.org that there's a few Irish births for "Kieler".  Just enter the surname and search, then click on "Collections" and on that page only choose Irish births/baptisms, otherwise the results will include entries from USA census which you don't want.   All appropriate sounding surnames and Irish spellings will be in the results.

[Rosinish]

Although your ancestors were in Ireland I think they must have arrived in a tree carved boat from elsewhere 

Annie

[PatCT]

Thanks, everyone.  This seem to have arrived in New York about 1840 or so.

[aghadowey]

This seem to have arrived in New York about 1840 or so.

If they were illiterate when arriving in New York it's possible they were given/assumed a Dutch surname similar in sound to their Irish name and gradually the spelling evolved with the variations listed.

[taramcdsmall]

Kiely springs to mind.

Do you want to post details on the family to see can we work out if they were in fact Irish ?!

Tara