Surname MacKilmartin - Meaning and Origin

MacKilmartin: What does the surname MacKilmartin mean?

The surname MacKilmartin is believed to originate from the Anglicisation of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Mhártain, which translates to “son of the devotee of St. Martin.” The name was derived from the Irish patronymic system of hereditary surnames, and likely originated from clan MacKilmartin of County Mayo, in the province of Connacht.

Intriguingly, the MacKilmartin surname has two distinct spelling variations, both of which derive from the same root name. The variations are Mac Kilmartin and MacKilmartin. Legend has it that, in Scottish-Gaelic, Mac Kilmartin was quieter and more demure, whereas MacKilmartin was bolder and more conspicuous.

Although records about the MacKilmartin surname date back about a thousand years, the etymology of the name is still a mystery. It remains unclear which MacKilmartin clan first adopted the surname or which St. Martin was referred to in the name.

Overall, the MacKilmartin name is deeply rooted in consecutive generations of Irish history. While its precise origin remains uncertain, the MacKilmartin surname serves as a lasting reminder of the strong bonds of family, ancestry and tradition in rural Irish regions.

MacKilmartin: Where does the name MacKilmartin come from?

The last name MacKilmartin (or MacGilmartin) is most commonly found today in Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the United States.

In Scotland, this surname is found mainly in the counties of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, indicating that the family was likely part of the highland clans of Scotland in past centuries.

In Ireland, the surname is mainly found in the county of Galway, suggesting the family had links to the region's ancient kingdoms and territory wars it suffered following the Norman invasion.

In Northern Ireland, the MacKilmartins are concentrated mainly in County Tyrone and County Antrim, indicating that the family had ties to the ancient province of Ulster.

In the United States, the surname is found among those who emigrated from Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. The family settled in many regions of the United States, particularly in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southern states.

The past several decades have seen MacKilmartins spread to other countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Russia, and South Africa, due to migration for work, study, and/or a better life.

As such, the surname MacKilmartin is still common today throughout the world, centuries after the family emerged in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States.

Variations of the surname MacKilmartin

The surname MacKilmartin is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Mhartin. It is a patronymic name meaning “son of the servant of St. Martin”. Common variants of this name include MacGilmartin, MacGilmartine, MacKilmartin, MacKilmartine, and MacGilmarteen.

The MacGilmartins are a branch of the MacMillan clan of the Scottish Highlands. This clan is thought to be descended from the ancient Kings of Dalriada. This clan is closely associated with the former diocese of Kilmallock, which was most active from the Mid-12th century until 1402.

The most common spellings of this surname are MacKilmartin and MacGilmartin. Variants of the name include McKilmartin, Kilmartin, Gilmartin, Kilmartine, and Gilmarteen. It is also associated with the Irish surname Kelly which bears the same origin.

The surname MacKilmartin is still in use today by descendants of the MacMillian clan. Over time, the surname has been Anglicized to more modern spellings. Today, spellings such as Kilmartin, Kilmartine, and Gilmartin appear in records dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The MacKilmartin surname is also found in Canada, with variants such as Kilmartine and Gellmarten having been documented in records from the 19th century.

Famous people with the name MacKilmartin

• Mary MacKilmartin: Irish Gaelic singer and musician, with a strong folkloric style.
• Emma MacKilmartin: British writer, journalist and television presenter.
• Sean MacKilmartin: American actor who is best known for his roles in Unbelievable, The Wrong Psalm and The Heart of Christmas.
• Patrick MacKilmartin: Irish football player, playing for the Donegal team and who also plays for the Amateur Football Association of Ireland.
• Stephen MacKilmartin: Australian comedian, writer, and film and television producer.
• Paul MacKilmartin: British musician, best known for his performances on guitar and other instruments as part of the band Kowalski.
• Jim MacKilmartin: Australian rugby player who represented the Wallabies and the Queensland Reds.
• John MacKilmartin: Scottish footballer who plays for the Scottish Premier League side Hibernian.
• Martin MacKilmartin: Irish-American painter whose works feature vividly detailed mixed media compositions of people and places from his homeland.
• Mark MacKilmartin: Canadian sports analyst and presenter for TSN Radio.

Other surnames

MacKilmary