Surname MacIlroy - Meaning and Origin
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MacIlroy: What does the surname MacIlroy mean?
MacIlroy is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origin, derived from the personal name "Ruadh", which means red. It is traditionally associated with the descendants of the Clan Rory (also known as Clan Ruaidhrí) in Scotland. The prefix "Mac" in Gaelic means "son of," so MacIlroy can be interpreted to mean "son of Red King" or "son of the Red-haired one." Over time, the spelling of this surname has varied greatly, with other common forms including MacRory, MacRorie, and MacRure. Like many Scottish surnames, MacIlroy is also commonly found in Northern Ireland due to the historical connections and migrations between the two regions. Regardless of spelling variations, the surname MacIlroy generally signifies descent from a common ancestor, reflecting Gaelic naming traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIlroy: Where does the name MacIlroy come from?
The surname MacIlroy is of Scottish origin, particularly deriving from the Gaelic culture. The name is a diminutive version of the name McIlrath, which itself was Anglicized from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Rua, meaning "son of the red-haired youth." The surname was originally associated with the Scottish clan system, in the Highland and Island regions.
Today, the MacIlroy surname is common in various parts of the world due to the large-scale Scottish diaspora. The surname is particularly prevalent in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where many Scottish people emigrated during the 18th and 19th centuries. Despite its Scottish roots, the surname is also relatively common in Northern Ireland, particularly in the counties of Antrim and Down. The name can be found spelled in a variety of ways including McIlroy, MacIlroy, M'Ilroy, and others. It has recently become widely recognized due to the Northern Irish professional golfer Rory McIlroy.
Variations of the surname MacIlroy
MacIlroy is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Ruaidh, meaning "son of the red-haired youth". Various spellings and versions of the surname have emerged due to phonetic translations over the years. These variations include: McIlroy, MacElroy, MacGilroy, MacGillroy, McElroy, McGillroy, MacIllroy and MacGillroe. Others include magisterial variants such as M'Ilroy or M'Elroy. The surnames Gilroy and Kilroy, common in Scotland and Ireland, might also be related due to the shared Gaelic root.
Due to immigration and movement of peoples, these variants can now be found globally, especially in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. It's important to remember that the spelling of a name often changed upon immigration due to different interpretations by immigration officials. Therefore, people with these surnames might be distantly related. It's also possible for two families with the McIlroy or a variation of the surname to not be related, as surnames in the past were often derived from occupations or characteristics.
Famous people with the name MacIlroy
- Rory McIlroy: professional golfer who is one of the most successful golfers of all-time, having won four major championships.
- Richard MacIlroy: Irish actor who has featured in British and American television programs, such as "Doctor Who," "Game of Thrones," and "Da Vinci's Demons."
- Jaine MacIlroy: British fashion designer who is most well known as the creative director of the design studio "Jaine MacIlroy Couture."
- Cameron McIlroy: founder and chairman of the software development and customer success services company CloudFour.
- Frances MacIlroy: a literary agent and a former executive editor of HarperCollins Publishers.
- Kenneth MacIlroy: Australian politician, who was elected to the state Legislative Assembly of New South Wales in 1954 and served four terms as Member of Parliament.
- Brian MacIlroy: Scottish professional footballer who played in the Scottish Football League and the Football League between 1947 and 1961.
- Sir George MacIlroy: British civil servant, who served as the first director of the Office of Works and Public Buildings, from 1791 to 1802.
- Ainsley McIlroy: Canadian actress and singer, known for her role as Hope in the musical "Heights: The Musical" and as guest-star on the series "Kid vs. Kat."
- Leo MacIlroy: Canadian Paralympic athlete who competed in goalball at the 1988 Paralympic Games in Seoul.