Surname MacElreavy - Meaning and Origin

MacElreavy: What does the surname MacElreavy mean?

The last name MacElreavy is of Irish origin, and is thought to have derived from the Irish surname Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, which in turn is thought to stem from the old Irish word “riabhach”, meaning “brindled” or “speckled”.

The Irish name Mac Giolla Riabhaigh was first found in County Donegal around the 12th Century and comes from the Old Norse name “Harald Ravns”, which was bestowed upon the chief of the region by King Olav II of Norway.

The name Mac Elreavy is thought to originate from the Anglicized form of the original Irish name. This surname can also be spelled as MacElrea or MacElroy and is quite common in Ireland and, to a lesser extent, in Scotland.

The name is most commonly found in the provinces of Ulster and Connacht. Today, there are many different versions of the name MacElreavy all across Ireland. It is also found throughout much of North America, largely due to Irish immigration in search of economic opportunities.

It has been suggested that the name MacElreavy means “descendant of a speckled descendant,” or “son/daughter of a speckled clan”. This would indicate a colorful past for the MacElreavys, and make sense with the original meaning of the original name. Whatever its origin, this is a unique and distinctive name, which has become a respected surname throughout many parts of the world.

MacElreavy: Where does the name MacElreavy come from?

The MacElreavy surname is most common today in Northern Ireland and other regions of the British Isles. The surname is believed to have originated in County Tyrone, Ireland, but is now found in other areas such as Scotland, England, Canada, and the United States.

The MacElreavy surname is generally associated with the Irish clans of the O'Neills, who were a powerful group in the region during the late medieval period. In fact, the MacElreavy name even appears in records of the O’Neills in 1341. While their exact origin is still unknown, it is possible that they stemmed from an earlier clan with ties to the region.

The name can also be found in many records throughout Irish history, such as a 14th century patent permit given to an ancestor of the MacElreavey family. This later solidified their presence in the region as an important part of the fabric of the land.

Today, the MacElreavy surname is relatively rare compared to other Irish surnames. However, in Northern Ireland, the name is still prevalent, with many people having it as part of their full name. Moreover, it can be found in the United States, and other countries, in areas that have large Irish-American or Irish-Canadian populations. The name is also relatively common in Scotland, and has been found in the records of Celtic and Viking-influenced lands from the Faroe Islands all the way down to southwestern Europe.

Variations of the surname MacElreavy

The surname MacElreavy is an Anglicised version of the Gaelic supreme sept of O'hEilrea, and the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include the following:

• O'Halreavy

• O'Hailreavy

• O'Hilrey

• O'Illreavey

• O'Ilreavy

• O'Elreavey

• O'Elrey

• O'Elrea

• McElroy

• McElray

• McElrea

• MacElroy

• MacElray

• MacElrea

MacElreavy is the anglicised version of the Gaelic sept, and is usually found in Ulster provinces in Ireland. O'Halreavy is found mainly in County Clare, O'Hailreavy is mainly found in Carlow and Kilkenny, O'Hilrey is mainly found in County Fermanagh, and O'Ilreavy is found mainly in Sligo.

The name O'Elreavey is found mainly in the counties of Monaghan, Cavan, and Fermanagh, O'Elrey is mainly found in County Armagh, and O'Elrea in Fermanagh. McElroy, McElray, and McElrea are anglicised variants, and are mostly concentrated in Ulster provinces. MacElroy, MacElray, and MacElrea are the Ulster variants of the same surname, and are mainly found in counties Donegal and Antrim.

Famous people with the name MacElreavy

• Jessie MacElreavy, American entertainer and World War II nurse.
• Lorraine MacElreavy, Canadian doctor and philanthropist.
• Lucy MacElreavy, American singer and voice actress.
• Declan MacElreavy, Irish writer, director, and producer.
• Barry MacElreavy, English actor and musician.
• Erwin MacElreavy, American politician and university professor.
• Paul MacElreavy, Australian sports commentator and public speaker.
• Diane MacElreavy, Canadian singer, songwriter, and author.
• Frank MacElreavy, British athlete and RAF veteran.
• Fenella MacElreavy, English actress and television presenter.

Other surnames

MacElree