Surname MacKilloughrey - Meaning and Origin
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MacKilloughrey: What does the surname MacKilloughrey mean?
The surname MacKilloughrey is of Irish origin, and is derived from the Gaelic-Irish personal name Mac Ualraig, which is itself derived from the Gaelic words for "son of Ualraig". Ualraig is a personal name which consists of two components: "ual" meaning "valor" and "raig" which means "king".
As such, the surname MacKilloughrey symbolizes the strong personal qualities of bravery and authority. These qualities likely reflect the early Irish chieftains and warriors who held important positions of power in the clans and families of Ireland during the Middle Ages.
The surname traces back to the ancient kingdom of a Ualraig, which was a small Gaelic kingdom situated around modern day Mayo in Western Ireland. By the 11th century, the kingdom faded away and the name Ualraig began to evolve into a surname instead of a personal name.
The Gaelic name Mac Ualraig eventually evolved into MacKilgoray, McKilloghery, Makilgorrey and today, MacKilloughrey. MacKilloughrey is still a very popular surname in Ireland and can be mainly found in the counties of Mayo, Galway, Donegal and Leitrim.
The surname MacKilloughrey is a reminder of the proud and strong-willed people of Ireland that fought those long centuries ago to make their nation what it is today. It conveys a sense of strength, courage and heroic leadership which served as the foundation for many generations of Irish families.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKilloughrey: Where does the name MacKilloughrey come from?
The last name MacKilloughrey is not a particularly common name in the modern day. However, it is an old Irish name which is still present in many parts of Ireland today. The majority of people with this name are located in the Province of Ulster, around County Antrim, Co. Down and Belfast.
The name MacKilloughrey in its original spelling was a variation of Mac Gilriogra, meaning 'son of the red-haired servant of the king'. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, which was also anglicised as Gallagher or Kilronan. The name has been shortened, the 'Mac' has been dropped, and the last letter 'h' has been added to the surname, resulting in MacKilloughrey.
The last name MacKilloughrey is also still present in Canada and the USA, likely the result of 19th century migration of Irish families to the New World. This migration saw a huge influx of Irish surnames, with many of them appearing on the shores of the United States and Canada for the first time. Families from Ireland settled in the new countries, bringing their distinct culture and language. Today, many of these Irish-based surnames including MacKilloughrey, still remain in these regions.
In conclusion, the name MacKilloughrey is not particularly common in the modern day, but is still present in some parts of Ireland, Canada and the USA. It is likely the result of 19th century migration of Irish families.
Variations of the surname MacKilloughrey
The surname MacKilloughrey is a variant of the Irish and Scottish combined surname MacCellachruith that was Anglicised to MacKilloughrey in the 19th century. The original Gaelic form of the surname has a number of variants and spellings, including MacCeallachróid, MacCeallachróibh, Mac Lechroid, and MacLochroide. In some cases, the ‘Mac’ prefix has been lost, and the surname becomes simply Killoughrey.
In Scotland, the surname is usually spelled MacKillochrae, which arose from the mishearing of the surname spoken in Scottish Gaelic by English speakers. Other variants of the same origin include McKilloghurie, McKillochrey, MacKilligroe, McKeilloughrie, McKellychrey, McKillagerie, and McKillychrie.
In Ireland, the surname is often spelled MacEllechryd in the Ulster-Scots variety of English. The name also exists as McKillochory and other minor variants.
The varying transcriptions of the surname attest to the way in which it has evolved over time as it has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, the most common variant of the surname is MacKilloughrey, with other spellings still surviving in the families that continue to use them.
Famous people with the name MacKilloughrey
- Robert MacKilloughrey, Canadian actor best known for roles in Paradise Falls, Mutant X, and Ridell & I
- Tanya MacKilloughrey, Canadian singer-songwriter and social media personality
- Bill MacKilloughrey, Canadian hockey player who represented Team Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics
- Ashley MacKilloughrey, American model and fashion designer
- Haleigh MacKilloughrey, British journalist and broadcaster
- Dan MacKilloughrey, Canadian entrepreneur and author
- Robert MacKilloughrey Jr., Canadian actor and musician
- Denise MacKilloughrey, British fashion designer
- Louis MacKilloughrey, Canadian ski racer and ski coach
- Michael MacKilloughrey, American musician and producer