Surname MacElderry - Meaning and Origin
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MacElderry: What does the surname MacElderry mean?
The surname MacElderry is of Scottish origin and is a patronymic, meaning “son of Elderry”. The first Elderry is thought to have been a man called Elideir, which is a Gaelic personal name that is derived from the Old Norse elements “elli” meaning “elf” and “deir” meaning “man”. There is a suggestion that this name was borne by a Scandinavian ancestor of the MacElderrys living in the Gaelic speaking regions of Scotland during the Middle Ages.
Most likely the name of MacElderry in its original form was found throughout Scotland during the Middle Ages, but is today primarily found in the Lowlands. The name is particularly associated with the Scottish midland counties of Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Glasgow. In the 18th and 19th centuries, many of the MacElderrys emigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries in search of a better life.
The people of the MacElderry clan are believed to be of firm and loyal character. It is said that, when called upon, MacElderrys will always stand up for their rights, principles, and beliefs, no matter the odds. The family motto is “en diligencie” which translated from Gaelic to English roughly means “by diligence”, inspiring its members to always strive for greatness through hard work and dedication.
Order DNA origin analysisMacElderry: Where does the name MacElderry come from?
The last name MacElderry is quite rare today. It originated in Scotland and is believed to be an anglicized form of the Gaelic ‘Mac-eil-deiridh,’ meaning ‘son of the elder.’ It is still found there, as well as in Ireland, England, Canada, and the United States.
In Scotland, the MacElderry family has been traced back to the 13th century, when they were among the earliest recorded families in the region. The family had a long association with the MacGregor clan, leading to a tradition that the MacElderry’s were an offshoot of that clan.
Today, the MacElderry name is found primarily in Scotland, Ireland, and Canada, with some presence in the United States. In Scotland, most MacElderry’s are found around the eastern coastline, mainly in the regions of Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Perthshire, and Angus.
In Ireland, the name is found mainly in the counties of Mayo, Donegal, and Cork, while in Canada, it is found primarily in Quebec, with a few scattered families in British Columbia, Ontario, and the Maritimes. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the states of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Although the MacElderry name is not very common today, it still has roots in some of the world’s oldest nations and cultures. It is a unique link to the past, with standing history in countries where the family has existed for centuries.
Variations of the surname MacElderry
MacElderry is a Scottish surname of Scottish-Gaelic origin. It is also spelled as MacEldery, MacEldry, MacEldora, MacEldory, MacEldorey and MacEldoray. It is common in Northern Scotland particularly around the Shetland Isles.
The ‘Mac’ in MacElderry implies that the surname originated in Scotland. The ‘Elderry’ part likely derives from the Gaelic words Alastair or Alasdair, meaning ‘defender of mankind’. Therefore the original meaning of the name is likely ‘son of Alastair’.
The Gaelic form of the name is MacAlastair or MacAlasdair, and the surname can appear with different spellings throughout Scotland, such as MacEldry, MacEldour, and MacAldora.
MacElderry can also be found with a variety of other spellings, including MacEldron, MacEldern, McEldry, McEldorey, MacEllerry, MacEldrynd, MacEldryte, MacEldroy and McEldray, to name a few.
Variants of MacElderry include the Scottish and Irish surnames Ellery, Ellary, Elary, Elray and MacAlister. These surnames are all based on the same origin as MacElderry, but have a different spelling and different pronunciation.
MacElderry is also sometimes misspelt as MacElderly or MacEldingly. The surname Elderly is likely a corruption of MacElderry, while the surname MacEldingly is likely a variation of either McEldry or McEldroy, which are both variants of MacElderry.
Famous people with the name MacElderry
- Buffy MacElderry: English pop singer
- Marnie MacElderry: keen endurance athlete
- Alex MacElderry: Scottish actor
- Jesse MacElderry: professional snowboarder
- Siobhan MacElderry: TV presenter
- Josh MacElderry: US sculptor
- Elora MacElderry: Canadian author
- Lee MacElderry: British media mogul
- Jess MacElderry: fashion designer
- Isabella MacElderry: chef and restaurateur