Surname MacIlrea - Meaning and Origin
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MacIlrea: What does the surname MacIlrea mean?
The surname MacIlrea is derived from the Gaelic term ‘Mac Giolla Riabhaigh’, which is a combination of two words, ‘mac’ meaning 'son' and ‘giolla riabhaigh’ meaning 'servant of Riabhach’ (Riabhach being a personal name). The surname is thus believed to have originally been a patronymic or clan name, describing a person as the descendant or servant of a man called Riabhach.
The name is more commonly Anglicised as MacIlrea and is common in both Ireland and Scotland. It is believed to have originated in County Donegal, in the far north west of Ireland, and to have spread through the regions of Leinster and Munster before settling in Scotland. In Scotland, the name is often given as Gilroy, giving it an even more distinct Scottish-Irish blend.
Through the many different versions of this surname, such as McIlroy, Gilroy, and MacGilroy, what is clear is that the root is the same and refers to a person of Irish decent and a descendant or servant of Riabhach. This name is thus a way of connecting to traditional Irish ancestry and seeing oneself as continually linked to the roots of Irish ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIlrea: Where does the name MacIlrea come from?
The last name MacIlrea is a relatively rare name, originating from Scotland. It is still found primarily throughout Scotland and parts of the United Kingdom today, although some MacIlrea family members have migrated to other countries, particularly the United States and Canada.
The origin of the name MacIlrea can be traced to the Clan MacLeod, one of Scotland’s oldest Clans. The MacLeod Clan shared a family bond with the MacIlrea Clan, who were originally believed to have arrived in Scotland from Ireland in the 15th century. The MacIlrea clansmen gained prominence from their involvement in the rebellion of 1715, in which they aided the Jacobites in their fight against the British monarchy.
The MacIlrea Clan’s distinctive tartan pattern also remains today. The Clan’s tartan is celadon green and royal blue, with a border of bronze and black, and a contrasting central stripe of gray.
Today, the MacIlrea name remains relatively uncommon, but there are still numerous people who bear it, throughout Scotland, the United Kingdom, and other countries throughout the world.
Variations of the surname MacIlrea
MacIlrea is the Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac an IRA, which is an anglicised version of the Irish Gaelic Mac Feara meaning "son of the king”. It is sometimes spelled Macllrea or McIlrea and is mostly found in Ireland and Scotland.
Variant spellings for MacIlrea can include M'Lreal, MacLylee, Machlery, McIlrae, M'Lisreal, Macchoilrea, MacLiosra, MacCoilrea, M'littrisk and MacLeeor.
MacIlrea is sometimes replaced with surnames such as MacIlrapha, MacIlravy, MacIlroy, MacIlreavy, MacIlree, MacIlreece, MacIlriel, MacIlrow, MacIlroy and MacIlroye.
Surnames that are derived from MacIlrea include MacKilrea, MacKerra, Kilroy, MacIlera, McIlrath, McÌlriach, McLierra, McClearey, McCreer, McCrea, MacCrea, MacKrea and MacCReady.
MacIlrea has several derivatives in Scotland, such as MacLure, McClure, McCleer, McClelland, McClelland, McClenny, McClerand, McCluer, McLurg and MacLurg.
Although the spellings are slightly different, all of these variations are based on the same surname. The variants of MacIlrea are commonly found in both Ireland and Scotland and are related to the original meaning, “son of the king.”
Famous people with the name MacIlrea
- Paul MacIlrea: Former Governor of Arizona
- Catherine MacIlrea: Award-winning Actress
- Saul MacIlrea: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Investigative Journalist
- Margaret MacIlrea: Grammy Award-Winning Singer
- Mark MacIlrea: renowned United Kingdom barrister and legal advisor
- Fiona MacIlrea: Canadian Olympic Speed Skater
- David MacIlrea: Professional Golfer
- James MacIlrea: British Royal Navy Admiral
- Alice MacIlrea: New York Times best-selling Author
- Tristan MacIlrea: Professional Equestrian Show Jumper