Surname MacIlee - Meaning and Origin
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MacIlee: What does the surname MacIlee mean?
The last name MacIlee is an Anglicized version of the Scottish Gaelic Mac Giolla, which translates to 'son of the servant.' This surname likely originates in the Hebrides Islands in Scotland, where Mac Giolla, or MacIlee, is a common surname amongst the indigenous people.
The MacIlee surname is thought to have derived from the 12th century Mac Giolla, a wealthy tenant of the lord of the Uí MacSuibhne clan in the Western Isles of Scotland. It is most likely derived from a personal Christian name and a patronymic ending in 'giolla', meaning 'servant' in the Gaelic language.
The MacIlee family were among the persecuted Scots who were forcibly evicted from the Scottish Highlands and Isles and driven from their homes by Encanchment laws in the mid-18th century. Since then, the family has spread and dispersed over Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States, making them one of the population of Scots and Scots-Irish immigrants who have had such an influence in the New World.
The MacIlee family name can be found today primarily in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, the United States, and even around South America and other parts of the world. It remains an important marker of cultural heritage and a reminder of the hardships faced by many of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIlee: Where does the name MacIlee come from?
The surname MacIlee is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland and the United States. In Scotland, MacIlee has appeared in records as elsewhere since at least the 16th century. Today, MacIlee can be found in large numbers in the Northern part of Scotland, especially within Highland counties, such as Inverness-shire, Aberdeen-shire and Caithness. It is believed that the origins of the surname MacIlee in Scotland stem from a forebear of the Clan Mackay, which have a strong Scottish presence in the Highlands and Outer Isles.
In Ireland, MacIlee has been long associated with County Kerry, where it is found in various forms, such as MacIlee, MacIla, MacNillie, McNillie, McKillie, etc. The origin of the MacIlees in Ireland is thought to stem from Scotland, given the strong links between the two nations. The Irish MacIlees are believed to have migrated during the 1600s.
In the United States, MacIlee is a relatively rare surname, having footprints stretching from New England to California. Many of the original MacIlees settled in Illinois, due to the Scottish community that had already formed there in the mid-1800s. The surname has also been found in denser hotspots such as Rhode Island, New York, Maine and California.
As of 2020, MacIlee remains a fairly uncommon name around the world, although it is most strongly associated with Scotland, Ireland and the United States.
Variations of the surname MacIlee
The surname MacIlee is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Asail, which is derived from the term Mac as giolla Iosa, meaning “son of the servant of Jesus”. It is an Irish patronymic surname that has a few variants.
The MacIlee surname can also be spelled as Mac Aisle, McIlee, MacIle, or MacIley. It is derived from the Scottish and Irish clan of MacAskill, which was originally part of the MacLeod clan. It is possible that the original surname was Anglicised as MacAilslie or MacIlee in some cases.
Other variants and surnames with the same origin include MacAskell, MacOseal, MacOsail, MacTail, MacTaille and MacAskell. It is also common to find the shortened versions of MacIe and MacAsie, and the patronymic forms of MacAsill, MacSkill, MacTill and MacTille. There is also a Scottish variant of MacAsill which is spelled as McAskill.
The MacIlee surname is still quite common in Ireland and Scotland but is also found in other countries around the world. It is believed that the first bearer of this surname was an early Christian monk who lived in the area of the Borders region between England and Scotland during the 8th century. He was known as St. Angus, and his descendants have held this surname for many centuries.
The MacIlee family is still an important part of Scottish heritage and often cherished by all those who carry the MacIlee name.
Famous people with the name MacIlee
- MacIeo Bernard: American comedian, actor, and writer
- MacIel McGruder: Canadian actor
- MacIel MacAulay: British actor
- Claire MacIel: American actress
- Adam MacIel: British-Canadian actor
- MacIel Cipriano: American singer and actor
- Jeff MacIel: American actor
- Wayne MacIel: American actor
- Don MacIel: American bodybuilder
- Savannah MacIel: American actress