Surname MacKilmary - Meaning and Origin
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MacKilmary: What does the surname MacKilmary mean?
The surname MacKilmary is an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic Mac Giolla Mháire, meaning "son of the devotee of Mary". This name was given to descendants of a family who were devoted to the Virgin Mary, likely in honour of a Christian hermit or monk who lived around the 12th century.
This surname is derived from a common Scottish first name, which is a combination of the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "giolla" meaning "maiden". The word "mháire" is the Irish and Scottish Gaelic form of Mary, and so the full name comes together to mean "son of Mary's servant".
The name MacKilmary is believed to have been localized to the areas of Perthshire and Argyll in Scotland. It is also found in some parts of Northern Ireland, most likely due to Scots-Irish migration in the 19th century. The related surname MacElmory is also found in Scotland, Isle of Man, and Ireland, and is derived from the same Gaelic name. It is believed that the name MacKilmary was adopted by some families related to the MacElmory family.
Today, the surname MacKilmary is still found in Scotland and Ireland, but is probably quite rare outside its native regions.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKilmary: Where does the name MacKilmary come from?
The surname MacKilmary is not very common today. It is most commonly found in Scotland, and particularly in the region of Argyll in the western part of Scotland. This would suggest that the name originated from this region.
The name is thought to come from the Gaelic Mac an Challmhair, which translates to "son of Chalmhair”. Chalmhair is a personal name derived from the Gaelic word Calma, meaning "dove". This potentially suggests a peaceful nature, or even a good omen within the family lineage.
The name has spread from Scotland to other parts of the world over the centuries. In the 1700s records suggest the MacKilmary family lived in Ireland, and in the 1800s the name also appears in Australia.
The more modern version of the name is Kilmartin, so today, one may find the surname of MacKilmary in places like Scotland, Ireland and Australia, as well as a variant of the name in reduced form as Kilmartin, which is more common in the modern day.
Variations of the surname MacKilmary
The surname MacKilmary is Scottish in origin and is an Anglicised and a variant spelling of the Gaelic name, MacGiolla Mheara. It is also spelled MacGilmary, MacGilmery, M'Gilmery, and M'Killmery, among others.Variants of MacKilmary include McKilmery, McIlmery, Kilmery, and Gilmery.
The surname MacKilmary derives its origin from MacGiolla Mheara, which was first used as a byname meaning 'son of the servant of Mary'. It was originally a hereditary style of a prominent family in Scotland, much like other Mac surnames such as MacLeod and MacKay.
The Clan MacKilmary is said to have originally inscribed its lineage to Somerled, the King of the Isles in the 13th century. Thefontloot branch of the Clan MacKilmary descend directly from John MacKilmary of Achnacloich in the parish of Saddell, which is located in Kintyre.
The MacKilmary surname is considered to be a sept of the Clan MacDonald, who are known as Clann Iain Mhòir. Clan MacKilmary is also connected with the Clan Cameron and the Clan Stewart through marriage.
Today, members of the MacKilmary clan can be found is most parts of the world, from Great Britain to North America and Australasia.
Famous people with the name MacKilmary
- Cate Mackilmary: American actress
- Derek Mackilmary: Australian rugby player
- Siobhán Mackilmary: Irish singer and songwriter
- Linden MacKilmary: British rock musician
- Matt Mackilmary: American football quarterback
- Ally MacKilmary: Canadian actress
- Marshall MacKilmary: Canadian boxer and MMA fighter
- Duncan MacKilmary: Scottish author
- Simon MacKilmary: British actor
- Shane MacKilmary: Australian cricketer