Surname MacGilway - Meaning and Origin
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MacGilway: What does the surname MacGilway mean?
The last name MacGilway is derived from an Irish and Scottish surname, Ó Maolghabhaigh. The literal translation of this Gaelic name is “son of the servant of the church.” This surname originated when one member of a particular family devoted himself to service of the church. The MacGilway name is believed to be one of the oldest surviving surnames in the United Kingdom and dates back to as far as the 12th century. It was common for people in that time period to take as their last name the trade of the family or the lands they held title to. In cases such as that of the MacGilway name, the person may have served as a priest and this became the surname of the family.
The coat of arms of the MacGilway family is a red shield with a blue chevron at the top of the shield. The crest of the family is a silver demi-lion rampant holding a book in its paw. The motto ‘Fortiter et Fideliter’ translates to ‘strongly and faithfully’, showing the devotion and strength the family is known for.
Throughout the centuries, the MacGilway name has been connected with numerous notable achievements, such as William MacGilway, who was one of the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence. MacGilway families can also be seen associated with titles of nobility and serve as influential members of the local communities from which they originate.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGilway: Where does the name MacGilway come from?
The MacGilway surname is commonly found in Canada, Ireland, and the United States. In Canada, the surname is predominantly concentrated in Quebec, where it originated in the late 1700s. In Ireland, MacGilway is most common in counties Cavan, Donegal, and Mayo, which are home to a majority of Irish-origin MacGilway families. Finally, in the United States, particularly on the East Coast, many MacGilway families trace their lineage back to immigrants who settled in the 1800s and early 1900s, particularly in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Pennsylvania.
At the turn of the 19th century, Canada and Ireland both experienced heavy immigration from Scotland and England. Scots-Irish emigrants to Canada settled in a number of areas of Canada, with the majority settling in rural Quebec, where English was the dominant language and many families of Irish descent took on the French-Canadian surnames of their neighbours. By the late 1700s, the MacGilway surname had become firmly established in Quebec.
In Ireland, MacGilway families are oftentimes descended from the indigenous Irish population, with many tracing their roots back to Mac Giolla Eoghain, or Son of Eoghain. The MacGilway surname is often found in areas of Donegal, Mayo, and Cavan, all of which experienced a substantial influx of Scots-Irish immigrants in the 1700s and 1800s.
In the United States, many MacGilway families are descended from Irish immigrants who came to the United States during the Irish Potato Famine of the mid-1800s, settling primarily in New England and the mid-Atlantic regions. Conversely, some families of MacGilway descent are descended from Scots-Irish settlers who left Ireland in the late 1700s and 1800s and settled in these same regions.
Variations of the surname MacGilway
The surname MacGilway is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Bhuidhe, meaning "son of the yellow-haired lad." It is an Irish surname stemming from the southwestern part of the country and is most commonly found in the province of Connacht. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for MacGilway include MacGillwie, MacGillway, MacKilway, MacGilvee, Gilway, Gilvey and Gillwee.
The spelling MacGilwie was common for those living in Ulster and County Donegal. The version MacGillway is more often found in County Fermanagh. The spelling MacKilway is a variation of MacGilway that was often used in County Cork and County Mayo. The derivative Gilway was used widely on the west coast of Ireland, specifically in the provinces of Connacht and Munster. In County Galway, some families adopted a variant of Gilway known as Gilvey. Gillwee is also an alternative spelling, and was more popular in Counties Mayo and Roscommon.
No matter the spelling or variant surname, the origin of MacGilway remains the same. All of these surnames are derived from the Irish Mac Giolla Bhuidhe meaning "son of the yellow-haired lad."
Famous people with the name MacGilway
- Robert MacGilway: American musician and Christian rock artist.
- Ross MacGilway: Canadian film director, writer, and producer.
- Denny MacGilway: American Type Designer, studied at the Cooper Union and currently works at Type Network, Inc.
- Chris MacGilway: Australian actor and comedian.
- Theresa MacGilway: American environmental activist and founder of the environmental organization Restoration Ecology Institute.
- Joseph MacGilway: Irish rugby player.
- John MacGilway: British distance runner and former UK national 1500m champion.
- Gordon MacGilway: Canadian actor and writer best known for his work in the television series, The Kids in the Hall.
- William MacGilway: American politician best known for serving as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1942 to 1953.
- David MacGilway: Canadian theatre director and writer.