Surname MacKellaig - Meaning and Origin
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MacKellaig: What does the surname MacKellaig mean?
The surname MacKellaig is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Easpuig which translates to 'son of Gilleaspuig', a personal name which was uncommon in Scotland before the 12th century. Gilleaspuig is composed of two elements; gille, meaning 'servant or follower', and aspuig, which comes from easpuig, meaning 'bishop'. Altogether, the surname MacKellaig essentially translates to 'son of the bishop's servant', indicating that the ancestral bearers of this family were either descendants of a bishop's servant, or had adopted the surname to indicate a similar connection through either trade or servitude.
Despite their humble beginnings, the MacKellaig clan is known to have flourished and eventually spread throughout the Highlands. In the historic records, this family is known to have lived in various parts of Scotland – mostly in the Western Isles. During the early 1600s, the MacKellaig family was recorded in both Ardnamurchan and Moidart, where they were recorded as living and farming in the sliochd (family descent) of Mac Giolla Easpuig, son of Gilleaspuig.
In modern times, the MacKellaig family continues to flourish, having since dispersed across much of the globe. While the spelling has evolved somewhat over the centuries, the meaning of the surname has not changed, which serves to honour the legacy of the MacKellaig clan and their ancestral lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKellaig: Where does the name MacKellaig come from?
The last name MacKellaig is mainly found in Scotland today, particularly in the southwest and western regions. It is common in coastal areas, particularly in Outer Hebrides, Islands of Arran, Muck, and Skye as well as Inverness-shire, Ross and Cromarty, and Perthshire. The name likely originated from the Gaelic phrase Mac Gille Eathoc, or “son of the servant of (St.) Eadha”.
The name is rare outside Scotland, and is only found in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand in small numbers. However, it is more common among older generations, as some Scottish immigrants changed their last name on migration.
Today, people with the last name MacKellaig can be found in numerous professions, from small business owners to teachers, engineers, and more. There are also several notable people who bear the last name, including record producer Sandy MacKellaig, artist Mairiad MhicGellic, and non-fiction author Peter J. MacKellaig.
Although the last name is not particularly widespread, those with the last name MacKellaig form a strong bond within their Scottish communities, as they are directly descended from the same clans. As a result, the name still remains a part of Scotland’s heritage and identity.
Variations of the surname MacKellaig
MacKellaig is a surname originating in the Scottish and Irish regions. The name is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Eathagain, meaning ‘son of the devotee of St. Eachagan’. Variations of the name include MacKeller, MacKellerick, MacKellow, MacKelloch, and MacKellogh.
When written in English, the name is often spelled MacKellaig but it can also be spelt MacKellerick, MacKelloch, McKallech, and MacKellog. In some cases, the letter ‘i’ may be replaced by ‘y’, producing spellings such as MacKellay and MacKelly.
One major variant of the surname is MacKeillough which is a combination of ‘sons of the sets of the devotees’ and is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Giollachu. The ‘chu’ suffix is a more dialectic version of the Irish spelling of ‘each’ creating what we know as MacKeillough. Another variant is MacKellog, which is a combination of ‘sons of the devotees of St. Eachog’.
The surname MacKellaig is associated with several clans in Scotland, including the Clan McRae, the Clan Murray, and the Clan MacDonald. In Ireland, there is a branch of the MacKellaig clan originating in County Clare, and another branch in County Galway.
In conclusion, the variants, spellings, and surnames for MacKellaig are numerous. Depending on the context, these variants, spellings, and surnames may take on different forms. Regardless, each variant is connected to the original MacKellaig lineage.
Famous people with the name MacKellaig
- Kirk MacKellaig: Member of Parliament for The Western Isles in Scotland
- Copper MacKellaig: Member of the Canadian Football League
- Archie MacKellaig: Former First Nations Leader of the Mackenzie Tribal Council
- Kevin MacKellaig: Scottish National Party Councillor for the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency
- Gillebride MacKellaig: Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands Region
- Scott MacKellaig: Former managing director at JP Morgan
- Iona MacKellaig: Professor of Social Anthropology at Fyfe University
- Flora MacKellaig: Scottish Labour Party Candidate
- Ian MacKellaig: Canadian politician and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Yukon
- Alan MacKellaig: Consultant architect based in Edinburgh