Surname MacMoyler - Meaning and Origin
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MacMoyler: What does the surname MacMoyler mean?
The surname MacMoyler is of Irish origin and is believed to originate from the Irish Mac Maolruadh meaning "son of the servant of the Red One". The Red One, also referred to as Redephill, is a figure in Irish mythology believed to be the father of all the Celtic gods and goddesses.
The origin of the name also has links to the prominent MacMurrough family, an ancient and powerful Irish dynasty located in what is now County Wicklow. It is thought that the MacMoyler name means those descended from a lesser clan of the MacMurroughs, likely from the area near Kilmoyler near the Wicklow Mountains in South East Ireland.
The MacMoyler name is rare but is found mainly in County Wicklow, where it is thought to have originated. It is known to date back to the Middle Ages, particularly associated with the Barony of Rathdown which was once part of the kingdom of Leinster.
Those with the surname MacMoyler tend to be proud of their heritage and may be interested in researching their family history for clues about their ancestors. Knowing the history of the surname, including its meaning and possible origin, can help those with the MacMoyler surname feel more connected to their past and those who share the same name.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMoyler: Where does the name MacMoyler come from?
The last name MacMoyler is not common in any particular region today. It is likely of British and Irish origin, and can be found scattered throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The MacMoyler surname originated from a Gaelic personal name, MacMaelfabhuill, which is composed of two elements - Mac, meaning 'son of', and Maelfabhuill meaning 'servant of St. Paul'. The surname is also found in variants such as MacMuller, MacMullin, MacMillen, and MacMuller.
The MacMoyler name was likely first recorded in the 12th century, when it was found on a parish record of Roscommon, Ireland. Through centuries of intermarriage, assimilation, and migration, the name has spread throughout the world. People with the last name of MacMoyler can today be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.
In the United States, the 2000 census reported there were 187 people with the MacMoyler surname, mostly living in New York and California. People with the MacMoyler last name can also still be found in Ireland, mainly in the counties of Cork, Donegal, and Antrim. There is also a small concentration of the surname in England, notably in London.
Today, the last name MacMoyler is not particularly common. However, it can still be found in a variety of countries all around the globe.
Variations of the surname MacMoyler
The surname MacMoyler is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Old Gaelic Mac Maolmhuire, which translates to ‘son of the devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary’. It was first found in the county of Ayr, where a family of MacMoyler lived. The different variants, spellings and surnames of this root name are as follows:
Variants: MacMuller, MacMouler, MacMooler, MacMullar,
Spellings: MacMoylar, MacMoylear, MacMoylear, MacMylar, MacMyler, MacMaler, MacMular
Surnames: McNealer, McNear, McNeary, McNeer, MacNuis, MacNuise, MacPuis.
MacMoyler is still a fairly rare surname unless you are descended from this ancient Ayrshire family. Many of these variants and spellings are still found in Scotland, although they are not as common as MacMoyler.
The surname has also spread to many other parts of the world such as Canada, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand. In these countries, several of the variants and spellings have transformed into different surnames as immigrants have settled and anglicized their names. Examples of these surnames include: McMuller, McNilau, McNeal, MacMulley, McNeilley and MacMillor.
Overall, the surname MacMoyler has many variant spellings and surnames, but is still fairly rare unless you come from this ancient Ayrshire family, or have descended from immigrants who anglicized their name.
Famous people with the name MacMoyler
- Colm MacMahon: Irish actor best known for roles in "Love/Hate" and "Game of Thrones".
- Seáinín MacMoyler: Irish folk singer and storyteller known for his songs about Ireland's history and culture.
- John MacMoyler: Irish actor who has appeared in films such as "Lady Bird", "The Young Offenders", and "Sing Street".
- Eamon MacMoyler: Irish musician and songwriter who has released a number of solo albums and collaborated with other artists.
- Mary MacMoyler: Irish illustrator who is best known for her children's book series "The Adventures of Eoin and Lainey".
- Liam MacMoyler: Irish fashion designer credited with creating the fashion line "MacMoyler & Co".
- Brian MacMoyler: Irish artist and sculptor whose work often focuses on the Celtic culture.
- Darragh MacMoyler: Irish poet and novelist whose works have been published in magazines and anthologies.
- Colin MacMoyler: Irish screenwriter known for writing movies such as "Sharon's Baby", "The Fisherman's Wife", and "The Haunting of Hill House".
- Aoife MacMoyler: Irish novelist who is most known for her novel "The House on the Hill".