Surname MacGilpin - Meaning and Origin

MacGilpin: What does the surname MacGilpin mean?

MacGilpin is of Gaelic origin and is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the father's given name. It is often believed to mean "son of Gilpin." Gilpin is an English name derived from the Old Norse name "Gíslapínn," which itself is a combination of "gísla," meaning "pledge" or "hostage," and "pínn," meaning "tender" or "mild." Over time, this name came to be associated with sturdiness or reliability. Thus, the last name MacGilpin could be interpreted to mean "son of the stalwart or reliable one." As with most surnames, particular meanings can vary based on regional differences and shifts in language over time. Given the deep history and evolution of Gaelic and Old Norse languages, precise interpretations may differ. It should be noted that MacGilpin is a less common variant; the surname is more frequently found as Gilpin or MacGilpin in Scotland and Northern England.

MacGilpin: Where does the name MacGilpin come from?

The surname MacGilpin is of Scottish origin, deriving from the ancient clan system in Scotland. The prefix “Mac” in Scottish and Irish surnames denotes “son of,” so MacGilpin would mean "son of Gilpin." Gilpin is an Old Norse personal name, meaning a servant or follower of St. Gilbert.

The surname has since spread beyond Scotland due to historical migrations and emigrations, but it is not a common last name anymore. According to various surname distribution data, there are around a few hundred individuals with this surname in the world, living especially in the United States, Canada, and the UK. Despite its Scottish origins, MacGilpin is not widely prevalent in Scotland today.

However, the accuracy of these findings can be limited as they're based on various database analysis, and the name may be present in other forms or spellings that are not accounted for in such data. Also, bear in mind that these types of surnames can often be subject to many spelling variations over the years, like MacGilpin, MacGilpine, MacGilpyn, MacGylpin, and others. These variations can often lead to families of the same origin bearing different surnames today.

Variations of the surname MacGilpin

The surname MacGilpin has various spellings and variants. These can be a result of Anglicization, translation errors, or variations within the family line. Some of the best-known include: MacGilp, MacGillpin, MacKilpin, MacGilpinne, and MacGilvane.

Other less common variants are MacGillipine, MacGilpine, MacGillvane, MacGillpaine, MacGillpain, MacGillpan, and McGilpin.

The "Mac" in MacGilpin indicates a Gaelic origin, as "Mac" comes from the Gaelic word "mac", meaning son of. This suggests that MacGilpin and its variants could have originated from a nickname or occupational name given to a particular Gilpin, leading to names such as MacGilpin, indicating "son of Gilpin".

The surname Gilpin may also provide variations similar to MacGilpin. It appears as Gilpen, Gylpin, Gilpinne, Gylpyn, and Jilpin in historical records.

These possible surnames would be associated with families originally stemming from Scotland and Ireland, where the Gaelic language originally used "Mac" to indicate lineage. Overall, the surname variant in a particular person or family could change over time, or even be different between siblings or cousins, due to changes in language usage, literacy, or personal preference.

Famous people with the name MacGilpin

• Andrew MacGilpin: an American actor.
• Rahul MacGilpin: an Indian actor and singer.
• Donald MacGilpin: an Australian politician.
• Kathryn MacGilpin: a British painter and sculptor.
• Freddie Macgilpin: a Scottish pastor and scholar.
• Ryan MacGilpin: an American singer-songwriter.
• James Macgilpin: a New Zealand politician.
• Peter MacGilpin: an American actor, writer, and producer.
• Jitka MacGilpin: a Czech sprinter.
• Jackie MacGilpin: a British wildlife photographer.
• Ingrid MacGilpin: an Australian painter and multimedia artist.
• Kody Macgilpin: a Swedish-American ice hockey player.
• Christopher MacGilpin: an Irish playwright and journalism professor.
• Thalia MacGilpin: a German-born actress.
• Beau MacGilpin: an American filmmaker and editor.
• Ashley MacGilpin: an American model and actress.
• Beverly MacGilpin: a Canadian-born actress and writer.
• Derek MacGilpin: a British race car driver.
• Ceilidh MacGilpin: a Scottish fiddler and folk singer.
• Ian MacGilpin: a South African author.

Other surnames

MacGilpMacGilpatrick