Surname MacGilchrist - Meaning and Origin
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MacGilchrist: What does the surname MacGilchrist mean?
The last name MacGilchrist is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Gilchrist. The prefix "Mac" means "son of" and the root "Gilchrist" is a personal name derived from the French name Gilles. The name itself is derived from the Old French term gill, meaning "servant" or "devotee".
The origin of the surname is found in the 12th century when Robert de Gall Visuals arrive in Scotland as part of a Norman invasion. The family evolved the name through various spellings, and by the 1600s it had become the family name MacGilchrist. Later, the name diffused to Ireland during the 16th and 17th centuries.
MacGilchrist is typically found in the western, southwestern and northern parts of Scotland. Today, many people with this surname can be found in these same areas, as well as across the United Kingdom and the United States.
The MacGilchrist surname can be thought to represent a strong sense of family and loyalty, something deeply rooted in the culture of its origin. It is commonly thought to reflect an ability to withstand change and to persevere through difficult times, a reflection of the clan's history. The name has been carried by a prominent line of ministers, scholars and individuals of various achievements, upholding the legacy of their Scots-Gaelic ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGilchrist: Where does the name MacGilchrist come from?
The last name MacGilchrist can be found today in a number of countries around the world. It is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. In Scotland, it is most frequently encountered in the southeastern part of the country, in areas such as Angus, Orkney, and the Highland regions. In Ireland, it is concentrated in the Ulster area. In England, it is mainly found in the south and east of the country, particularly in Devon, Cornwall, and Kent.
Within the United States, MacGilchrist is especially common in areas with strong Highland Scottish or Irish roots. In New England, it can be found in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. In the southeastern states, it is generally encountered in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. It is also common in the US state of Texas, as well as in some parts of California.
Overall, MacGilchrist is most numerous in its homeland of Scotland. However, this name has spread to many areas over the years, from England and Ireland to the United States. Those who have the name today may be surprised to find other MacGilchrists around the world, all from the same family that can be traced back to the Highlands of Scotland.
Variations of the surname MacGilchrist
MacGilchrist is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname MacGiolla Chríost, which literally means "son of the servant of Christ". The variants of this surname include MacGillchrist, MacGillchristie, MacGillchriost, MacGillchristy, MacGillessy, MacGilliesy, MacGilliesey, MacGillechristy, MacGillikriste, MacGillchristee, MacGilleish, MacGilleaskey, MacGillichrist and MacGillKiriste.
The more common spellings seen in Scotland are MacGillchrist, MacGilliesy, MacGilleskey and MacGillchristie, while the more common spellings found in Ireland are MacGillchristy, MacGilleash, MacGilleasy and MacGillKiriste. The variant MacKilchrist is also seen as a common spelling in both countries.
In most cases, MacGilchrist is believed to have derived from the Irish words meaning "servant of Christ" or "devoted to Christ". The meaning is probably the same in all variants of the name, which is why it is so often seen as a surname in both Scotland and Ireland.
In addition, the surname is also a possible variant of the surnames Gilchrist, Gilchristson, Gilchriste, Gillechristson and Kilchrist. These different versions of the surname are most likely to have been adopted by immigrants who used different spellings during the many migrations to Scotland and Ireland over the past centuries.
Famous people with the name MacGilchrist
- Judi MacGilchrist: Actress and voice-over talent
- Craig MacGilchrist: Canadian politician
- Clifford MacGilchrist: Scottish politician
- Elizabeth MacGilchrist: Scottish-born South African artist and sculptor
- Kenneth MacGilchrist: Scottish-born Canadian architect
- Arthur MacGilchrist: Scottish politician
- Gordon MacGilchrist: Canadian diplomat
- Judy MacGilchrist: British art curator
- Jonathan MacGilchrist: British human rights lawyer
- Alan MacGilchrist: British doctor and politician