Surname MacDulothe - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacDulothe: What does the surname MacDulothe mean?
The surname MacDulothe is an Anglicized version of the Irish surname MacDubhghaill, which translates as “son of Dubhghaill” in English. Dubhghaill is an old Gaelic personal name, derived from dubh (“black”) and gaill (“stranger”).
The surname MacDulothe originated in Ireland, and was first found in Donegal where they held a family seat, and where the various spelling variations of the name can be found. The inadvertent changes to the spelling of the surname over the years have been attributed to the various colloquial and dialectical modes of pronunciation, accentuating the differences in Gaelic languages.
The MacDulothe surname is thought to descend from one of two ancient Gaelic dynasties: the Clan Fhaelain, descended from Faelan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, who was High King of Ireland about 390 AD; or the Cenel Eoghain, descended from Conal Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, who was king of North Ulster about 500 AD.
The clan symbol of the MacDulothes is the demi-griffin, recalled in the seal-counterpart of the clan's great chief which bears the words ‘Domhnall Dubhghaill’. The demi-griffin appeared again on the MacDulothe coat-of-arms.
Today, the MacDulothes are a proud family, who have in the past and still today maintain their affection for the native homeland of Ireland. Many have held influential positions in society, including government, culture, religion and academia, and are immortalized in the annals of Irish history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacDulothe: Where does the name MacDulothe come from?
The last name MacDulothe is most commonly found today in Scotland and Ireland. It is believed to be derived from surnames of Irish Gaelic origin, although there are some theories suggesting that it could be of Norse or Scottish origin. It is possible that the name was derived from the Gaelic personal name “Mac Dubhghaill”, which combines two separate elements—“mac” meaning “son” and “dubhghaill” meaning “black foreigner”.
Although MacDulothe is more common in Scotland and Ireland, it can also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In many cases, those bearing the name today are descended from those who emigrated from Scotland and Ireland during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Given that it is an Irish or Scottish surname, it is likely that many MacDulothes today are descended from the ancient tribes of Ireland and Scotland—Picts, Scots, Gaels, and Druids. Additionally, due to the influence of Christian missionaries and Viking raiders in the British Isles, it is possible that many people with the surname today are also descended from Norse or mixed-breed populations as well.
Overall, despite its varied history, MacDulothe is most commonly associated with Scotland and Ireland today. Those bearing the surname, regardless of their location, can find comfort in the fact that it carries with it the rich heritage of their ancestral homeland.
Variations of the surname MacDulothe
The surname MacDulothe is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Duibhshíthe meaning the "son of Duibhshíthe". It is a variant spelling of the commonly known surname MacDilshe or MacDulioch, which is derived from the similar Irish Gaelic name Mac Duibhshlíthe. Variants of the surname MacDulothe that may be seen in records are MacDolshee, MacDolshey, MacDoulshee, MacDoulshey, and MacDoulay.
MacDuloch and MacDulursed are common spellings of the anciently known form MacDuibhshíthe, where the first part of the surname is a contracted form of Mac Dubhshíthe, found in records. A shortened version of MacDulothe is Doolie, which can be found in records as a cluster of related surnames such as Doolish, Doolishay, and Doulishy.
The Farrells, a sub-sept of the Munster Fiants are a branch of the O’Dwyers who specifically beared the surname MacDulothe. Keeney, a variant of MacKainey, was also used interchangably by some of the ancestors of the MacDulothes who were historically maintained in the Farrel or Farrell family.
Finally, MacDoolathy and MacDoolathy are more modern spellings of the surname which have become more common in recent years with people with ancestral ties to the MacDulothes.
Famous people with the name MacDulothe
- Isla MacDulothe: British actress best known for her roles in import films
- Duncan MacDulothe: Canadian actor and singer
- Mary MacDulothe: Scottish poet and playwright
- John MacDulothe: US musician, songwriter, and producer
- Rowan MacDulothe: Irish professional golfer
- Robert MacDulothe: British music producer and composer
- Harry MacDulothe: Canadian singer/songwriter
- Craig MacDulothe: Australian Olympic Gold Medalist rower
- Ben MacDulothe: Scottish rugby player
- Moira MacDulothe: Scottish actress