Surname MacCallilly - Meaning and Origin
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MacCallilly: What does the surname MacCallilly mean?
The surname MacCallilly is a patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic or Irish language. The root of the name is Mac Cathmhaoil, meaning son of Cathmhaoil, an ancient Irish name believed to be composed of the elements cath, meaning battle, and maol, meaning chief. This name is most commonly associated with the Ulster province in northern Ireland, and with County Tyrone in particular.
The MacCallilly surname likely first emerged in the late 13th century, when people began adopting hereditary surnames in Ireland. In Irish culture, the clan chiefs of the territory held the highest social rank and status, and were often conferred with a patronymic surname, indicating their descent from a clan leader. This form of name was particularly common in the Ulster province.
Today, the surname MacCallilly is still common throughout Ireland, Scotland, and England. The MacCallilly name has had quite a few prominent bearers, such as Roger MacCallilly, a Barrington-Hall Family Member, and Reverend Guilloul MacCallilly, a refugee from Ireland after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
The MacCallilly surname is steeped in history and heritage, and is a reminder of the strong cultural tradition of the Irish people. It offers a unique insight into the past and a fascinating narrative of the journey of the MacCallilly family through time.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCallilly: Where does the name MacCallilly come from?
The last name MacCallilly has its roots in Scotland, and is still common in Scotland, especially in the Western Highlands. The name is most commonly recognized in the Scottish clans of MacCallilly and MacKillop, and the surrounding regions. In Scotland today, people carrying the last name MacCallilly are mostly found in the remote, rural parts of the Western Highlands, particularly in the Argyll and Bute, and Highland Council Areas.
In addition to Scotland, the name MacCallilly is also common in Australia and Northern Ireland. In Australia, the last name is most commonly found in the states of Queensland and Victoria. In Northern Ireland, the last name MacCallilly is mainly concentrated in the counties of Antrim, Carrickfergus, and Down.
The last name MacCallilly is probably not so common outside of these main areas, since the name is fairly rare. It appears on numerous genealogical websites from around the world, though, indicating that members of the MacCallilly surname have migrated to other countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom over the centuries.
Variations of the surname MacCallilly
The surname MacCallilly is an anglicized Irish version of the Gaelic Mac Giolla Fhionntain/Mac Giolla Fhinnain. This surname is most commonly found in the counties of Clare, Galway, and Mayo in Ireland. There are several variants and spellings of MacCallilly that are closely related and derived from the same roots.
The various variant spellings of MacCallilly include: MacCallenhil, MacCallin, McClillin, McCalin, McKalin, MacGillon, MacGillin, MacGillon, MacGillan, MacGillin, MacGilliny, and MacGillinen.
The surname MacCallilly is part of larger sept of surnames, including: McAnulty, MacConville, Convy, McConville, Mickey, MacElhinn, MacKellin, MacKilling, McGillin, McGilly, McGinley, McGinness, and MacGillinny.
In some cases, these surnames may be variants of the surname MacCallilly, family members may have adapted to a different pronunciation or spelling numbering the years due to changes in language, location, or culture.
Surnames that are attributed to the same root may further include: McAnulty, Gillespie, Kilgallen, McCullin, McCullagh, McCreevy, MacKerlie, McIlvar, MacLintock, Mactheale, MacQuillen, and Magilligan.
The original Gaelic form of the surname MacCallilly is ‘Mac Giolla Fhionntain’, which can be directly translated to mean ‘son of the servant of Finntan’. The precise origin and meaning of this surname has been somewhat lost over the years, but it is suggested that the Finntan in question is the name of the early ancestor of the MacCallilly surname.
Famous people with the name MacCallilly
- Kristyn MacCallilly: Emmy Award-winning TV news producer and host
- Saibh MacCallilly: Irish singer and songwriter
- Shea MacCallilly: former basketball player and NBA draft pick
- Chris MacCallilly: American actor, composer, producer, and director
- Alan MacCallilly: Scottish painter and sculptor
- Corey MacCallilly: British author and conservationist
- Ryan MacCallilly: Canadian soccer player
- Barbara MacCallilly: American filmmaker and photographer
- Tom MacCallilly: former professional ice hockey player
- Christine MacCallilly: former professional tennis player