Surname MacKilfoyle - Meaning and Origin
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MacKilfoyle: What does the surname MacKilfoyle mean?
The last name MacKilfoyle is an anglicised form of the Irish surname Mac Giolla Phóil, meaning literally "son of the devotee of St. Paul" and referring to a medieval family who traced their descendant from a distinguished convert of the Irish saint of the same name.
The MacKilfoyles were originally a powerful and honoured family of tenant farmers who lived in the vicinity of County Antrim in Northern Ireland during the tenth century. Over the centuries, the name underwent a variety of spellings in both its English and Irish language definitions.
In the mid-nineteenth century, the population of Ireland had changed significantly due to the Potato Famine, which caused many Irish people to leave the home country and settle in the United States and other parts of the world. It was during this period that many Irish families, including the MacKilfoyles, emigrated to countries all over the globe and began to establish themselves in new lands.
Today, the MacKilfoyle surname is seen in many variations and can be found in people of Irish, Scottish, and English origin. Although the family history may be lost to time, its origin remains clear and is an obvious reminder of the strong and proud legacy of its ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKilfoyle: Where does the name MacKilfoyle come from?
The last name MacKilfoyle is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland today, where it originated. In Ireland, the name is more widespread in County Galway and County Leitrim. In Scotland, the name is more commonly found in Aberdeenshire in northeast Scotland, as well as in some small pockets of Glasgow. The name is also scattered throughout the UK, with small clusters of MacKilfoyles living in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
The name MacKilfoyle has a long and storied history, with records indicating the O'Killives clans were in County Leitrim dating back to the 12th century. In the 17th century the MacKillivoys moved to County Galway, a region long synonymous with the Irish Diaspora.
In the 19th century, many Irish people emigrated to the UK and North America, and the MacKilfoyle name spread to other parts of the world. Today, people with the MacKilfoyle name can also be found in Australia, Canada, and the United States.
The MacKilfoyle name is derived from the Irish name O'Killives, which is a variant of O'Kilbile. The name translates in Gaelic as 'son of Wylloughby', as the Kilbile family descended from the Wylloughby clan. Today, the MacKilfoyle's are likely a proud bunch, carrying with them a legacy which stretches back centuries and spans continents.
Variations of the surname MacKilfoyle
MacKilfoyle is a surname originating in Scotland and Northern Ireland with variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin including Mac Kilfoyle, MacKilfoyl, McKilfoyle, MacKilfoil, McKilfoil, MacKilfoule, MacKilfowle, MacKilfoul, and McKilfoul. These variations can all trace their origins to the family name Mac Giolla Phoil, which is derived from the old Irish name Mac Giolla Phoil meaning "son of the devotee of St. Paul." The prefix "Mac" is a Gaelic Gaelic form of the English word "son" meaning that the sons of the family of Mac Giolla Phoil took the surname mac kilfoyle to identify themselves.
The names MacKilfoyle and McKilfoyle are derived from the original Irish name and are found in many different variants, since the Irish language and those who spoke it were not consistent in their use of spelling or grammar. In some cases, MacKilfoyle or McKilfoyle have been anglicized to Kilfoyle. Regardless of the spelling, the surname MacKilfoyle and all its variants trace their roots back to the old Irish name Mac Giolla Phoil meaning "son of the devotee of St. Paul".
The surname MacKilfoyle and its variations are found all over the world today, many of those descendants having emigrated from Ireland in search of a better life, or in the wake of the various wars and conflicts that have plagued the country. Some of the regions that can be found with those rooted in this surname include the United Kingdom (mainly Scotland and Northern Ireland), the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name MacKilfoyle
- Jimmy MacKilfoyle: Singing sensation, known for his memorable pop hits.
- Colin MacKilfoyle: Director of several Academy Award-winning films.
- Tom MacKilfoyle: Professional baseball player.
- Adrian MacKilfoyle: British Royal Marine and notable military historian.
- Nico MacKilfoyle: Model and social media influencer.
- Tyler MacKilfoyle: Television presenter, known for his popular travel show.
- Sandy MacKilfoyle: Country and western singer-songwriter.
- Ruby MacKilfoyle: Star basketball player, two-time WNBA all-star.
- Sara MacKilfoyle: Astronaut and public figure, known for her educational work in space research.
- Damon MacKilfoyle: Grammy Award-winning rap artist.