Surname MacKilgunn - Meaning and Origin
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MacKilgunn: What does the surname MacKilgunn mean?
The last name MacKilgunn is derived from a Scottish clan name and is usually associated with the northern Highlands and western Isles. It is derived from the Gaelic MacGilleGhunna, meaning "son of the servant of Saint Gunna". It is thought that Saint Gunna was a confessor to Saint Columba, the patron saint of Scotland. According to legend, Gunna asked Columba for a blessing, and was rewarded with divine protection from the sea and the ability to make the ship he was then traveling on navigate through turbulent waves.
The surname can also be traced to other parts of Scotland, such as the area around Inverness-shire, where it is thought to have originated with a family of landowners. These families were known as "Macills".[1]
The surname MacKilgunn is common in Scotland, especially in the northern region of the country. The variant of the name is MacGillGunna and is considered to be an Anglicized version of the original Gaelic form.
MacKilgunn is now found all over the world, especially in countries that have large numbers of Scottish emigrants including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The name is a source of pride for those with Scottish roots, as it is a tangible representation of their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKilgunn: Where does the name MacKilgunn come from?
The last name MacKilgunn is most commonly associated with Scotland, although it can also be found in Ireland, the United States, and Canada.
In Scotland, MacKilgunn is traditionally an anglicisation of the personal Gaelic name Mac Coilgúin. It may refer to an esteemed male ancestor who was part of the Clan Colguin or to the MacKilgunn clan, which was a branch of the Campbells in Argyll.
In Ireland, the surname MacKilgunn originated in the Connaught area, where it is still relatively common. It is an anglicisation of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Chomghain, which means "son of the devotee of (St.) Comghan". This surname is most frequently encountered in counties Galway and Mayo.
In both Canada and the USA, most people with the surname MacKilgunn trace their ancestry back to Ireland and Scotland. It has many spellings, including Kilgun, MacKilgown, MacKillgunn, and MacKilgoon.
Today, MacKilgunn is familiar around the world, from America to Britain and beyond. Its spread is testament to the descendants of both the MacKilgunn and Mac Coilgúin clans, who have kept these names alive for generations.
Variations of the surname MacKilgunn
MacKilgunn is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Gunadh (translated as "devotee of Gunadh"). Variant spellings include Mac Kilgunn, Mackillgun, MacGillagun, Mac Killagun, Mac Gillagun, MacGelgune, MacGillgun, MacGillgawn, MacGillagun, MacGillagawn, and MacKillgun.
The surname MacKilgunn is also sometimes spelled as MacGullaghan, which derives from Mac Giolla Chathain (translated as "son of the devotee of Cathain"). The surnames MacGullaghan and MacKilgunn share the same Gaelic root and are often used interchangeably.
Other variants of the surname include MacGillgawne, Macillgan, MacGilligan, MacKilgan, MacKilgawn, and MacKilgown. These variants may have arisen due to migration patterns or on account of transcription errors when the surname was first recorded in official documents.
Other related surnames include MacGilligan, Kilgunn, Kilgann, MacGillengan, MacGilligan, and MacGelgan. Some families use a combination of surnames, such as MacKilgunn-MacGilligan, or MacGilligan-Kilgunn, to denote their common ancestry.
Overall, the variants of the surname MacKilgunn are numerous. All of these surnames are thought to indicate a common source, albeit with some slight alterations due to regional or personal preferences.
Famous people with the name MacKilgunn
- Lachlan MacKilgunn: Scottish footballer
- Colin MacKilgunn: Scottish actor
- Ross MacKilgunn: Scottish cyclist
- Alastair MacKilgunn: Scottish rugby union player
- Ally MacKilgunn: Scottish songwriter and musician
- Arthur MacKilgunn: Scottish bodybuilder
- Liam MacKilgunn: Scottish sports broadcaster
- Jack MacKilgunn: Scottish broadcaster and radio presenter
- Jessie MacKilgunn: Scottish artist
- John MacKilgunn: Scottish singer and actor
- Donna MacKilgunn: Scottish film and television actor