Surname MacAnlis - Meaning and Origin
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MacAnlis: What does the surname MacAnlis mean?
The last name MacAnlis is derived from the Irish and Scottish surname Mac An Líosa, which in turn is derived from the Gaelic personal name Anléibhe, which means "descendant of Anléibhe". This name is derived from the word "an", meaning "excellence" or "chief" and "léibhe", meaning "physician".
The prefix "Mac" in this surname then indicates "son of", so MacAnlis can be translated as "son of excellence". This surname is most commonly found in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, but can also be found in various other areas, especially in Ireland.
Historically, the MacAnlis surname has been held by various families in different regions. For instance, in Ireland the surname was organically adopted after Christopher McLysaght MacAnlis settled in Co. Cork in the 1800s.
The MacAnlis family in Scotland were descended from the Highlanders who were powerful Pictish families that predated the arrival of the Irish. It was believed that the MacAnlis Clan may have occupied a number of Irish-Gaelic strongholds in the Scottish Highlands.
Today, the MacAnlis surname is still found across the world, and while it may still have its Gaelic roots, the surname has come to represent many different branches throughout various countries and different cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAnlis: Where does the name MacAnlis come from?
The last name MacAnlis is most commonly found in Scotland today. The name is thought to derive from "Mac a’ Néill," which can be translated from Gaelic as "son of Neill," and is associated with both the aboriginal peoples of Scotland and Ireland. It is likely the surname comes from a family who belonged to "Clan MacNeill," the nobility of Scotland. Notable clan members include Lewis Morris Macneill, the founder of the criminal law in Scotland, and Robert Macneill, a leading figure in the Scottish Revolution of 1820.
The last name has spread around the world, but is still most commonly found in Scotland today. It is found mainly in the Highlan areas, including Aberdeenshire, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, and Perth, as well as in the Lowlands. In recent years, the name has spread to Canada and the United States, where it has become popular among those of Irish or Scottish descent.
The name MacAnlis may also be found in Ireland, although its presence there is not as strong as it is in Scotland. In Ireland, the name is more commonly found in Ulster, and specifically in counties like Armagh and Tyrone.
Variations of the surname MacAnlis
The surname MacAnlis is derived from the Gaelic form of the name MacNeill or MacNelly. It is a patronymic name which means “son of Neil or Nelly.” There are some variant spellings and surnames of MacAnlis, though many are rare and have only a few occurrences.
The alternate spellings of MacAnlis include Mac Neill, MacNeill, MacNelle, McAnlys, MacAnley, MacAnlie, MacNally, and MacNillie. Variants of the name MacAnlis include MacNeills, McNallys, MacAnleys, and MacNillies. While these variants are quite rare, they do exist.
Other surnames of similar origin and linguistic derivation are MacNeal, MacNealy, MacNally, McNeal, McNeely, McNelley, and MacNeel. These surnames are all derived from the Gaelic name MacNeill and are related to the MacAnlis surname. MacNealy, MacNally, and McNeal are derived from the Scottish-Irish form of the surname. Other surnames of this line are McNeely, McNelley, and MacNeel, which are derived from the mainland Scottish form of the surname.
In all, the MacAnlis surname is a patronymic name derived from the Gaelic form of MacNeill. There are several variant spellings and surnames of similar origin, including MacNeal, MacNealy, MacNally, McNeal, McNeely, McNelley, and MacNeel. All of these are derived from the Scots-Irish and Scottish forms of the surname.
Famous people with the name MacAnlis
- Patricia MacAnlis: British librettist and prolific arts writer.
- Gwendolyn MacAnlis: African American writer and poet.
- Seamus MacAnlis: Irish singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
- Muffy MacAnlis: American model, actress, and television personality.
- Robert MacAnlis: Canadian film and television producer.
- Cameron MacAnlis: Australian actor, director, and screenwriter.
- Ryan MacAnlis: English comedian and actor.
- Ewan MacAnlis: Scottish photographer and photojournalist.
- Chloe MacAnlis: British children’s novel author and screenwriter.
- Damion MacAnlis: Australian professional football player.