Surname MacElholm - Meaning and Origin
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MacElholm: What does the surname MacElholm mean?
The last name MacElholm has origins in Scotland. Traditionally an occupational surname, MacElholm is believed to have derived from a Gaelic word meaning servitude. It was likely used to indicate someone who had a job in the service of another person, such as a landlord, or one who may have been employed in some type of military service.
MacElholm is a patronymic surname in that it was passed down from the father's first name, as opposed to a surname that was inherited from a land owner or family estate. It is most common in the Scottish Highlands and Islands and parts of Northern Ireland. The name is most common in the counties of Fermanagh, Tyrone, Antrim, and Donegal, but is present throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The name is also seen in some locations in the United States, primarily brought by 19th-century Irish immigrants. MacDonald, MacElhone, MacCallum, and MacAulyme are variants of the name MacElholm. Famous people with this surname include Hugh MacElholm, an Irish-born poet from Scotland, and Harry MacElholm, an Irish footballer.
Order DNA origin analysisMacElholm: Where does the name MacElholm come from?
The last name MacElholm is most commonly found in Northern Ireland. Specifically, it is quite common in County Tyrone. Although the origin of this last name is somewhat unclear, it is thought that it is an Anglicization of the old Gaelic name Mac Giolla Chaluim.
The MacElholm family has populated various areas of Tyrone for centuries. Originally, the family is said to have had roots in Scotland, potentially in the area of Dunvagan Castle in Islay. In the late 1500s, the family is believed to have made its way to Ireland, where it has since become firmly established and has grown in number significantly.
Nowadays, there are still many MacElholms living in the same places where their ancestors had settled all those centuries ago. In addition to Tyrone, the name is also seen in such places as Belfast, Derry, and Donegal.
The MacElholms are a proud Irish family, and have always been a great part of the local culture and community. As of today, there are far more individuals with the MacElholm last name living in Ireland than anywhere else in the world.
Variations of the surname MacElholm
The surname MacElholm is the Anglicized version of the original Gaelic Mac Giolla Chaluim, which translates to "son of the follower of St. Colum." MacElholm can be found in both Ireland and Scotland, where it was a common surname in the 1700s and 1800s.
Variants of MacElholm include MacElhone, McElehune, McElhome, McElhone, McEhlum, and McEhlom.
The surname MacElholm can also be found in its Gaelic form Mac Giolla Chaluim, as well as in its anglicized spellings Gilhalom, Gilholme, Gillehlm, Gilleum, and Gillhalom.
Surnames of the same origin as MacElholm include McKilhone, MacKelom, MacKilhom, McKillholme, and McKillcholm.
MacElholm is an Anglicized version of the original Gaelic Mac Giolla Chaluim, which means “son of the follower of St. Colum.” Hence, it appears with various spellings and variants throughout Ireland and Scotland. The Anglicized variants include MacElhone, McElehune, McElhome, McElhone, McEhlum, and McEhlom, while the Elizabethan spellings are Gilhalom, Gilholme, Gillehlm, Gilleum, and Gillhalom. Moreover, surnames of the same origin are McKilhone, MacKelom, MacKilhom, McKillholme, and McKillcholm.
Famous people with the name MacElholm
- Roger McElholm: Professional football player from Northern Ireland who played for Ballyclare Comrades.
- Richard McElholm: Professional swimmer from Northern Ireland who won two gold medals in the 2002 Commonwealth Games
- Jack McElholm: Professional race car driver from Northern Ireland who competes in the British GT Championship.
- Pat McElholm: Professional golfer from Northern Ireland who was one of the popular players of the European Tour in the 1970s.
- Pádraic McElholm: Professional basketball player from Northern Ireland who plays for the Belfast Star team.
- Margaret McElholm: Award-winning writer from Northern Ireland whose works include two novels and numerous articles in various publications.
- Donal McElholm: Politician from Northern Ireland who served as an MLA for Mid-Ulster from 1983 to 1986.
- Seamus McElholm: Musician from Northern Ireland who is the former frontman of the Irish folk-rock band Clannad.
- Arianne McElholm: Actress from Northern Ireland who has starred in various television shows such as The Bill and Doctors.
- Rory McElholm: Professional surfer from Northern Ireland who is the current Irish National Champion.