Surname MacLilly - Meaning and Origin
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MacLilly: What does the surname MacLilly mean?
The last name MacLilly has Scottish and Irish origins. It is derived from the Gaelic MacGille Fhaolain, which means “son of the servant of St. Fillan.” St. Fillan was a holy man in the 8th century who was said to have miraculous healing powers.
Variations of the MacLilly surname can be found in various spellings, such as MacLillie, McLillie, MacLellie, and McLellie. These variations are thought to reflect an Americanization of the original Scottish spelling.
The MacLillys were believed to have originally hailed from the region located at the junction of the Rivers Tay and Earn in Scotland. Most of the MacLillys settled in the area after the 17th century, likely due to Scotland’s turbulent history.
The family’s relationship with St. Fillan may explain why many MacLillys became involved in religious vocations. It also explains why several MacLillys choose occupations in the medical field.
The MacLilly name is still fairly common in Scotland, as well as in other parts of the United Kingdom, like England and Northern Ireland.
All in all, the MacLilly surname is rooted in religious traditions and the legacy of St. Fillan. It evokes a strong sense of heritage and legacy that will likely continue to be passed down for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLilly: Where does the name MacLilly come from?
The last name MacLilly is most commonly found today in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, the three countries from which the name originated. It is also very common in the United States, particularly in the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York which have sizable Irish immigrant populations and is relatively common in Canada too.
The name is derived from the Gaelic MacGilleliosa, which when Anglicized, became the MacLilly surname. The prefix 'Mac' signifies 'son of', and thus the literal translation of the name into English is 'son of the servant of Jesus'. The name was borne by multiple generations of the same family throughout the centuries and was most often given to the eldest son of each family.
MacLilly is most often a Scottish and Northern Irish last name, and is still common in these areas today. Popular spelling variations of the name include MacLillie, MacLillian, MacLilliam, MacLillea, and MacLillean.
The surname is not particularly popular elsewhere in the world, however, there are examples of MacLilly families scattered in various regions. Examples can be found in countries such as Australia, South Africa, and in various countries in Europe.
Today, MacLilly is still very much a modern surname and is used all over the world, though its prevalence in areas where the name first originated is still much higher.
Variations of the surname MacLilly
MacLilly is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic “Mac an Fhilidh” meaning “son of a poet”. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for MacLilly include MacLilley, MacLilleye, MacLily, McLilleye, and MacLille.
McLilleye is a variant spelling of the MacLilly surname. It originates from the Scottish Isles, likely in the Northern Isles area, and may have been derived from a similar place name. This variant spelling is still used in Scotland to this day.
MacLilley is an alternate spelling of MacLilly. It is derived from the Gaelic “Mac an Fhilidh” and is also believed to originate from Scotland. This variant can also be found in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada.
MacLily is another variant of the MacLilly surname. It is also derived from the Gaelic phrase “Mac an Fhilidh” and is found primarily in Scotland.
MacLille is an alternate form of MacLilly that has its roots in Scotland. It is derived from the same Gaelic phrase but has been adapted to a modern spelling. It can be found in both the United Kingdom and North America today.
The surnames of the same origin for MacLilly include MacFie, McFee, MacFie, and McPhilley. These surnames are Scottish in origin, with each one derived from a different Gaelic phrase. MacFie originates from “Mac an fhiodh” meaning “son of the deer”; McFee from “Mac Phees” meaning “son of peace”; MacFie from “Mac an fhiodh” meaning “son of the deer”; and McPhilley from “Mac a’Pheilidh” meaning “son of the poet”. Each of these is a variant of the MacLilly surname and is also found in both the United Kingdom and in North America today.
Famous people with the name MacLilly
- John MacLilly: Canadian artist and Master of Fine Arts from the University of Manitoba
- Adam McLilly: American actor, writer, and musician best known for his role in the series Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
- Moira MacLilly: British actress and tiktok star
- Jamie McLilly: Canadian hockey player and member of the Calgary Flames team
- Rory McLilly: Irish singer-songwriter, musician, and dancer
- Ewan MacLilly: Scottish actor, best known for playing Jamie Donovan in the ITV drama series Emmerdale
- George MacLilly: American football player in the National Football League
- Rob McLilly: Canadian actor, director, and producer, best known for the TV series The Tudors
- Katherine MacLilly: Australian political activist and member of the Progressive Labor Party
- Jean McLilly: Canadian opera singer