Surname MacKileeny - Meaning and Origin
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MacKileeny: What does the surname MacKileeny mean?
The last name MacKileeny is believed to have originated from the town of Kilkenny in Ireland. The name is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Mac Giolla Iseain", which translates as "son of the servant of Jesus". This surname has a direct connection to St. Isean, the patron saint of Kilkenny.
The MacKileenys were mainly found in the regions of Leinster and Munster. In the 1600s, they were a powerful clan who ruled over the area. The name has gradually changed over time as the Mac in the name, which means "son of" has dropped in favour of just the Kileeny.
Throughout the centuries, the MacKileeny name has been used to refer to members of this ancient Irish family. This name has stood the test of time and is still in use today. The people who carry this surname today are believed to be direct descendants of the original Irish settlers that lived in the area centuries ago.
The MacKileeny name reflects the indelible link between the family and their ancient Gaelic roots. This last name will always be a reminder of Ireland’s proud heritage and of the devotion that this family had to St. Isean and the place they called home.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKileeny: Where does the name MacKileeny come from?
The last name MacKileeny is most commonly found in Ireland today. It is one of the most common surnames in the country, with over 1,000 people having it as their last name. The name is derived from the Gaelic form of Mac Giolla Fhionntain, which means "son of the servant of Fionntan,” indicating that the original family of MacKileenys were servants of the Fionntan clan.
MacKileeny is a relatively common surname in the Republic of Ireland, with 150 families bearing it in the country. However, it is much more common in Northern Ireland, with over 600 families having the surname. The largest concentrations of MacKileenys are in County Down, County Londonderry and County Armagh.
The surname MacKileeny is also found in Canada, the United States and other parts of the world. It is especially popular in the United States, with nearly 500 people bearing the name living there as of 2020. The surname is also frequently found in Scotland and England, as well as other countries throughout the world.
In Ireland, the families of MacKileeny are believed to have originated from County Donegal, and some still claim ancestral connections with this part of the country. The Irish family of MacKileeny, descended from Hugh MacKileeny of Tirhugh, would trace their ancestry back to at least the 17th century.
Variations of the surname MacKileeny
MacKileeny is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin derived from the personal name MacGiolla Eoin, meaning "son of the devotee of (St.) John". The variant spellings of MacKileeny are MacKilleeny, MacKeeleany, MacKilleany, MacKileny and MacKillinny. The derivations of the surname, including variants and anglicized versions, are MacKileeny, O’MacKileeny, MacKilleeny, O’MacKilleeny, MacKeeleany, O’MacKeeleany, MacKilleany, O’MacKilleany, MacKileny, O’MacKileny, MacKillinny and O’MacKillinny.
The root of the surname of MacKileeny is MacGiolla Eoin, with numerous anglicized and translated variations arising over time. MacGiolla indicates “son of”, while Eoin is derived from the Irish Iain, itself transcribed from the Hebrew name “Yochanan”, Anglicized as John. This surname was brought to Ireland by Anglo Normans or French settlers in the 7th century.
The O’ prefix that appears in some versions of the surname suggests a clan affiliation with the native Gaelic population of the region. The O’ prefix, meaning “grandson or descendant of”, was routinely attached to many Irish surnames by their respective families, especially when written down in later centuries.
As a result of different translations and common misspellings, the MacKileey name has evolved in numerous forms, with several variants still in use today. Despite these changes, the origin of the surname remains the same, providing a sense of continuity throughout the centuries.
Famous people with the name MacKileeny
- John MacKileeny: British actor, best known as the voice of the Dante's Inferno video game.
- Antony Mackilligin: Scottish historian and author with expertise in the fields of modern British history, the First World War and the history of Ireland.
- Seonag MacKilleeny: Irish novelist and playwright who received numerous awards and honours including the Irish Arts Council Literature Bursary and the Eason Prize.
- Carolyn MacKilleeny: Canadian author and poet. She has received numerous awards, most notably the Governor General's Award for English-language poetry.
- Sean Mackilleeny: British-born comedian and actor, known for appearances in popular films such as First Night, Empire State and Begin Again.
- Heather MacKilleeny: American television personality and founder of the website MacKilleeny Media, which provides entertainment news and reviews for television, film and other forms of media.
- Bruce MacKilleeny: Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League.
- Tara MacKilleeny: Jamaican-born novelist and short story author, whose works have been published in literary journals such as Caribbean Beat and the Oxford Companion to Caribbean Literature.
- Ross MacKilleeny: Australian racing driver who competed at a high level in open-wheel and production-based racing, most notably in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.
- Greg MacKilleeny: American business executive and environmental activist, and the co-founder of the Clean Power Plan, a leading energy and climate policy in the United States.