Surname MacElree - Meaning and Origin

MacElree: What does the surname MacElree mean?

The last name MacElree is a Scottish name of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Mac Garbhail, which means ‘son of Garbhail’. Garbhail is the Gaelic word for 'rough one'.

The surname is likely connected to the ancient Scottish clan McIntyre, which has strong connections to the area of Lorn, Argyll and Bute. The clan originates from Robert the Bruce’s son-in-law, Colla Ciotach. The McIntyres were loyal followers of Robert the Bruce and had strong ties to the area.

The spelling of MacElree likely evolved over time as it was handed down through the generations. Variations of the name include MacKelrie, McCalare, Macilroy, MacElie, Macglare, Macglashan and Mackeler.

MacElree is a popular name throughout Scotland and its diaspora. Families with the name can be found in Scotland, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The MacElree name stands for strength and loyalty, embodying the traits of courage and tenacity that the ancient Scottish clans were known for. As the world continues to grow, this name will remain a reminder of the proud Scottish heritage.

MacElree: Where does the name MacElree come from?

The last name MacElree is most commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the surname is predominantly found in Pennsylvania and Ohio, specifically Philadelphia, Lancaster, Pittsburgh, and Akron. In the UK, MacElree is most often found in Wales, especially in the counties of Flintshire, Denbighshire, and Gwynedd.

In terms of total numbers across the globe, the MacElree surname is found most prominently in countries such as the United States and the UK, but can also be found in Australia and New Zealand, due to a surge of English emigration in the 19th century. There are also reported to be MacElree families living in Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, and many other countries around the world.

The MacElree name is often linked to the Irish surname MacGiolla Riabhaigh, which is believed to be the root of the current MacElree spelling. The origin of this Irish surname is derived from the patronymic "MacGill Ia Greaigh", which translates from Gaelic to mean "son of the servant of the king". This patronymic has several varietal spellings, one of which is MacElree. There is evidence showing that MacElree is, in fact, a sept (sub-branch) of the Ó Maol Riabhaigh clan, which is based in the Connemara region of Ireland.

In today's world, the MacElree surname is still popular in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and can also be found in other parts of the world, due to the emigration of English and Irish settlers in the 19th century. The origin of the name lies with the Irish Gaelic language and its patronymic of "MacGill Ia Greaigh".

Variations of the surname MacElree

The surname MacElree is an anglicized form of the surname Mac an Fhilidh, which originated in County Antrim and County Londonderry in Ireland. Depending on the area of origin, there can be several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for MacElree.

Variants of the surname MacElree include: Mac an Fhilidh (the original form); McElree; McElroy, McElory, MacElroy, MacElory, MacElrea; MacClure, McClure, McCloor, McCluer and MacCloor.

An additional spelling of MacElree is MacElroe, which can also be spelled as McElroe. There are also variants Macilree, MacIlree, McIlree, McKlure, McElwee, and McLure. Some of the alternate surnames of the same origin include MacCaffrey, MacGaffrey, MacGoffery, MacGoffery, MacGaffog, MacGoffog, McAlree and MacGaffry.

Spellings for MacElree can range from MacElray to MacElway, and MacElwey. Another variant, McElwy, is also commonly seen.

There are many alternative surnames derived from MacElree. These include McIlvaire, MacKellop, McElligot, McIlligot, MacKeown, MacKeon, MacKellogg, MacKellig, Mackellow, MacKelloch and MacKnow. Each of these variants and surnames are have the same ultimate origin as MacElree.

Famous people with the name MacElree

• Admiral Harry Manning MacElree (1875-1942) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II.
• Charles B. MacElree (1824-1877) was an American Civil War Union Army officer who commanded the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry and was wounded in the Battle of Williamsburg in 1862.
• Francis C. MacElree (1867-1919) was an American lawyer and politician, and the 20th governor of Pennsylvania, serving from January 1901 to December 1902.
• Hugh MacElroy MacElree (1856-1943) was an American farmer and politician from Pennsylvania who served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from Delaware County.
• Walter L. MacElree (1862-1931) was an American lawyer, diplomat, and politician from Pennsylvania who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from that state's 9th district from 1905 to 1915.
• William Wallace MacElree (1860-1944) was an American lawyer, educator, and politician from Pennsylvania who served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1912 and as a United States Representative to Congress from the state's 6th District from 1915 to 1919.
• Todd Macelree (1964-present) is an American lawyer and entertainment executive who serves as vice president of business and legal affairs for Uptown Records, a division of Universal Music Group.
• Chandra Macelree (b. 1966) is an American lawyer and judge who serves as a judge in Philadelphia's Common Pleas Court.
• Jonathan MacElree (1914-2000) was a distinguished jurist who served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from 1975 to 2000.
• Joe MacElree (1922-1998) was an American baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1946 to 1950.

Other surnames

MacElreavyMacElroy