Surname MacKellock - Meaning and Origin
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MacKellock: What does the surname MacKellock mean?
The last name MacKellock is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla-Ghobhsaigh, which roughly translates to “son of the servant of the swarthy one”. This was often used to refer to the MacKellock clansmen who lived in the Scottish Highlands.
The MacKellocks take their origin from the Siol Choblair, a branch of the more famous Clan MacKenzie. In the 16th century, the MacKenzies had expanded their territories to include Strathfarrar and Strath ord, where they began to take the surname MacKellock as their own.
The MacKellocks are renowned for their fidelity and loyalty to their leader. They are well-known for their strong sense of kinship and their willingness to assist and support one another. They were known as formidable warriors and often fought to defend their homeland in Scotland.
The MacKellocks were a large clan during the height of their power. By the late 19th century, however, the clan had begun to dwindle in number as many of the younger generation chose to immigrate to other nations.
Today, the MacKellocks can be found in various countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, among others. Still, many of them continue to honor their ancient traditions and values.
The strength of character and loyalty of the MacKellocks, both of which are deeply ingrained in their heritage, is still very much alive today.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKellock: Where does the name MacKellock come from?
The last name MacKellock is most common today in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. In Scotland, thousands of people bear the name, most likely descended from a Celtic ancestry. Among Irish households as well, the name is reasonably common, having been brought to the island nation by way of Scottish settlers. In Canada, the name is often associated with the island Hebrides, a small archipelago of the country located off the coast of Scotland. Many of its original settlers were born of Scottish descent carrying the name MacKellock. And finally, the MacKellocks form a prominent part of Australia’s vast population of Celtic immigrants and their descendants.
The name MacKellock is derived from the Gaelic “MacGailloc,” which means “son of the servant of Saint Andrew.” This unifies the name’s strong and long-lasting ties to Scotland, which became home to many of the name’s holders centuries ago. Despite the name’s dispersal throughout the world, these bloodlines still retain strong links to their Scottish origin.
Despite its ancient roots, the name MacKellock still finds relevance in many parts of the world today. Its commonality in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Australia is living testament to the storied history of the name, and its continued relevance to the Celtic diaspora.
Variations of the surname MacKellock
The surname MacKellock has several spelling variants and related surnames with the same origin.
The two most popular variants are McKillop and Mackillop. McKillop is derived from each letter of MacKellock being dropped in succession. As a result, the traditional Scottish spelling of MacKellock is changed. Mackillop is a variant spelling that is more commonly used in contemporary times.
Other variants of MacKellock include MacIllock, MacKelleck, MacKelock, McKelock, and MacKelloch. These spellings are derived from the name being taken to multiple areas of the world where spelling may have slightly changed.
The surnames of Glackill, MacKylon, and McKillop also stem from the MacKellock origin. This is due to the dropping of further letters, or spellings becoming more anglicised in different parts of the world.
The MacKellock name is thought to be derived from a Gaelic word meaning ‘son of a hermit’, ‘son of the church’, or ‘son of the devotee’. It is associated with Devonshire, Scotland, New Brunswick, Canada, and many other countries.
The surnames of MacKellock, McKillop, and Mackillop all stem from the same ancestral roots. Therefore, many with these surnames will have common heritage and could be related.
Famous people with the name MacKellock
- Lewis Mackellock: Scottish footballer who played for Queen of the South and Montrose between 1919-1925.
- Gary Mackellock: Scottish footballer who played for Aldershot, Reading, and Sunderland between 1970-1980.
- Oskar MacKellock: Swedish ornithologist and collector of scientific specimens.
- Tom Mackellock: Australian writer and activist who wrote novels, short stories, plays and children's books.
- Angus MacKellock: British fashion designer who was the creative director at Burberry from 2002 to 2015.
- Steve Mackellock: Early American professional baseball player who competed in the National Association of Professional Baseball Players.
- Ludwig MacKellock: Chef and restaurateur who ran a number of successful restaurants in Germany, including Der Kaiserhof in Berlin.
- Harry Mackellock: English poet, critic and playwright who was renowned for his scathing satires.
- Daisy Mackellock: Canadian actress best known for her roles in a variety of television shows and movies from the 1950s to the 1970s.
- Robert Mackellock: Entrepreneur and author who is most famous for his autobiography, From The Gutter to Gold.