Surname MacIlravy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacIlravy: What does the surname MacIlravy mean?
The last name MacIlravy is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Giolla Rua, meaning "son of the Red-haired Man". This name is thought to have originated in the Scottish Highlands and is most commonly found in the regions of Argyll and the Irish counties of Ulster and Donegal.
The name MacIlravy is believed to have been first used by the descendants of one of the earliest Highlanders, who were a branch of Celts that migrated there in the 6th century B.C. This early clan's descendants established branches throughout Scotland and Ireland.
The surname MacIlravy is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland, and is a variation of the surname McIlroy, which is an Anglicisation of the surname MacGiolla Rua. The MacIlravy and McIlroy surnames were often interchanged in the early days and the spelling of both names can vary.
The MacIlravys are thought to have been a sept of the larger Clan Donald, originally from Argyll in Scotland and then spread into southern Ireland in the 16th century. Today, the MacIlravys continue to live in Scotland, Ireland and other parts of the world.
The MacIlravys are strong supporters of their local community and heritage and many members are involved in preserving the shared history of Scotland and Ireland. They often host Gaelic speaking events and support young people learning the ancient language. MacIlravys also celebrate the traditional music, dance and literature of their homeland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIlravy: Where does the name MacIlravy come from?
The last name MacIlravy is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland today. It is a Scottish name, derived from the Gaelic personal name Mac Giolla Riabhaigh which roughly translates to "son of the follower of St. Riabhaig"; Riabhaig being an Irish saint who lived in the 6th century.
Prior to the mid 18th century, the MacIlravy/MacIlravey clan were based in the Western Isles of Scotland and from the Isle of Islay in particular. Today, most of people with the MacIlravy/MacIlravey surname live in Scotland, particularly in Orkney, Shetland and further afield in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
In addition, people with the MacIlravy/MacIlravey surname can also be found in Ireland and in North America, particularly in Canada, the United States and Mexico. While not as dominant outside of Scotland, MacIlravy/MacIlravey is still considered a relatively rare surname outside of Scotland but is relatively widespread in the country itself.
People with the MacIlravy/MacIlravey surname are largely of Celtic descent with ancient roots that trace back to the Isle of Islay in Scotland. People with this surname are believed to have migrated to other parts of the world over time, either through their own volition or via other external factors such as wars and famine.
Variations of the surname MacIlravy
The MacIlravy surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, which is sometimes found anglicized as MacIlroy, MacIlree.
A number of variant spellings are also found, such as MacIlarvey, MacIlravey, MacElree, MacElravy, MacElroy, MacIlfrey, MacElroy, MacIrvey, MacIlfries, MacKelree, and MacKelroi. The name is of territorial origin, derived from the ancient clan territory of Barony of Ila, which is located in the parish of Kilmore in County Mayo.
The MacIlravy surname is a fairly rare one and is particularly associated with the Province of Connacht in Ireland, although it can also be found in low numbers in other countries.
In Ireland, some families with the surname may have originally come from Scotland, where the surname is more common as variations of Scottish and English surnames such as McLevy, MacLeavy, MacLea, MacLeay, and MacLeroy.
In Scotland, the surname was originally found in the regions of Kilmarnock, Glenluce, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, and East Lothian. As the name is of territorial origin, many people bearing the name likely originate from those regions.
The 'Mac' prefix in the surname is a sign of the family's membership of a particular clan or tribe, and may refer to the Gaelic word for 'son of'. Thus, the Anglicised surname MacIlravy translates to 'son of the son of the gray', indicating a paternal lineage.
Famous people with the name MacIlravy
- Dave Macilravey: American professional wrestler and promoter.
- Rod Macilravy: Major League Baseball umpire.
- Wendy Macilravey: British theatre director, screenwriter and actress.
- Andrew Macilravey: Former professional ice hockey player.
- Kristin Macilravey: Retired American Equestrian.
- Mary E. Macilravey: American professor and researcher in organic chemistry.
- Trevor Macilravey: British professional golfer.
- Christopher MacIlravy: American actor and producer.
- Patrick MacIlravy: American poet, essayist, and author.
- David MacIlravy: Former professional ice hockey player and manager.