Surname Mac Giolla tSeachlainn - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: What does the surname Mac Giolla tSeachlainn mean?
The Irish surname Mac Giolla tSeachlainn is composed of two Gaelic words, “Mac” meaning “son” and “Giolla” denoting “servant/follower” and “tSeachlainn” meaning “warrior”. As such, the name is thought to translate to mean the “son of the warrior servant”. This name is quite ancient and is believed to have been the surname of two widely known branches of the O'Neill dynasty, one of the most influential dynasties in Irish history.
The two O'Neill branches that bear this name are the Mac Giolla tSeachlainn's of Clann Taidg a main division of the O’Neill dynasty, and the O'Neill's of Oriel, the lesser division of the same dynasty. Although they stem from the same root, these two branches are considered separate clans. The Clann Taidg branch mainly resided in modern day County Fermanagh, located in the northwest province of Ulster. The O'Riel branch was mostly found in the southeastern counties of Armagh and Louth.
The name Mac Giolla tSeachlainn carries a strong legacy of Irish History as its bearers were part of the potent O'Neill dynasty, which rose to power during the medieval period and dominated much of Ulster and beyond for centuries. Furthermore, the famous Red Hand of Ulster - an Irish symbol of kingship - was first used by the O’Neill family, as is evidenced by its presence on the ancient flag of the O’Neill’s of Ulster.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Giolla tSeachlainn: Where does the name Mac Giolla tSeachlainn come from?
The Mac Giolla tSeachlainn surname is more common in Ireland than anywhere else. The name is derived from the Ó Seachnáin Gaelic Sept, originating in County Mayo in the 12th century.
The last name is quite rare, with approximately 250 people bearing the name today. It is thought to be most common in Irish counties including Mayo, Galway, and Sligo. In addition, these counties may have been populated by people of the same name in the past, which could indicate the presence of a Mac Giolla tSeachlainn Sept in the area.
Outside Ireland, the last name is much less common. It is likely found in other countries with Irish immigrant roots, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It is also reasonably likely to be found in other countries with connections to Irish emigrants such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The last name is usually spelled as Mac Giolla tSeachlainn (or sometimes MacGillacudy, Giolla tSeachlainn, or Gile tSeachlainn), no matter which country a person bearing the name is in. In the past, however, the spelling has varied among different mode of use.
Overall, the last name Mac Giolla tSeachlainn is a relatively rare name, but in Ireland, it is still present in various counties. It may also be found in other countries with connections to Irish immigrants, although it is much less common.
Variations of the surname Mac Giolla tSeachlainn
The surname Mac Giolla tSeachlainn is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin, which can be spelled in various ways. Common variants of the name include Mac Giolla Teige, MacGillasey, McIlhone, Giltrap, Gilstrap, MacEligot, Gillett, MacGilty, MacGillicuddy, McKillop, MacKillop and McElhone. All of the variants noted can be translated to mean “son of the servant of Saint Seachlann” in Irish.
The continental variants of this surname would be Gilstrap, McIlhone and Gillett. The former being a derivation of the Irish form, which became Anglicized through the use of the anglicized “Mc” prefix plus “Ilhone” from the Gaelic “Ui Sheakhlann,” the latter through the definition of “son of Gil.”
The surname McElhone is derived from the prefix Mac an tSeachtighearna meaning son of the Lord, and the personal name Seachtlann.
Giltrap and MacGillicuddy are derived from the Irish or Scottish variant of the name, Mac Giolla tSeachlainn.
Finally, McKillop and MacKillop are derived from the Mac an Ghoill name meaning “son of the servant.” These two are linked to the Gaelic word “goill”, meaning “servant”, and the word “mac”, meaning “son.”
In conclusion, the Mac Giolla tSeachlainn surname is derived from a number of Gaelic and Anglicized sources, leading to a variety of spelling variations depending on the country of origin (Ireland or Scotland) in which the spelling originated.
Famous people with the name Mac Giolla tSeachlainn
- Ruairí Óg Mac Giolla Chearraigh: Irish singer-songwriter and the founder of Altan, a traditional Irish folk group.
- Gearóid Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: Gaelic footballer and manager of the Galway senior team.
- Torlach Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: Irish poet and Gaelic scholar from County Leitrim.
- Proinsias Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: Irish Fianna Fáil politician and academic.
- Bláithin Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: Irish camogie player who represented Leitrim before transferring to Galway.
- Seán Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: Labour politician from Dublin who served in the Dáil Éireann.
- Seosamh Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: Member of the Irish Republican Army who was executed in 1923 for his involvement in ambushing of two Black and Tans.
- Manus Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: Irish businessman and former political activist who served as a Minister in the Oireachtas.
- Liam Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: Irish politician who served as president of the Workers' Party of Ireland (WP) from 1996 to 2001.
- Diarmuid Mac Giolla tSeachlainn: Irish-language poet, playwright, and literary theorist.