Surname MacQuilliams - Meaning and Origin

MacQuilliams: What does the surname MacQuilliams mean?

The surname MacQuilliams is of Scottish origin, and is derived from the Gaelic mac Uilleam. This translates to "son of William" and was originally a patronymic given to people who were the sons of William. The surname was created when the Celts of Scotland adopted surnames during the reign of King Edward I of England, in the 13th and 14th centuries.

The warriors of the clan MacQuilliams were a part of the Irish and Norse tradition in the area. There were strong ties between these people and the Scottish clans, as seen in their traditions, clothing, customs, and language. As the clan moved further north into Scotland, they became more and more established as a distinct group.

The name MacQuilliams appeared in many records and documents during the Middle Ages. The name was given to members of the nobility, landowners, and those of the warrior class. In the 1600s, during the Age of Reckoning, the surname was widely used to distinguish members and supporters of the Stewart movement.

The MacQuilliams family is thought to have originated from what is now Scotland and the surrounding area, as evidenced by the records and documents throughout the Middle Ages. They eventually spread throughout the world, with many members still living in Scotland. The name MacQuilliams is still rooted in Scottish culture and traditions today, and serves as a reminder of its history and rich heritage.

MacQuilliams: Where does the name MacQuilliams come from?

The surname MacQuilliams is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland and Canada, though there are certainly a few cases of this last name in other countries around the world. In Scotland, the cheekiest record of the surname comes from the 15th- Century when the surname MacQuilliams was first recorded for the patronage of the Earl of Fife. The name is derived from the Gaelic words Mac and Cuilliam, meaning "son of Cuilliam" or "son of William".

In Ireland, the surname MacQuilliams can be traced back to the 12th Century, where the MacQuilliams were amongst the earliest followers of King Henry I. They were part of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, becoming a powerful sept or clan. The old Irish spelling of the name MacCuiliam which later evolved to MacQuilliam over time.

Today, the surname MacQuilliam is particularly popular in Scotland and Ireland, as well as in parts of Canada which share Scots or Irish heritage, such as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The surname MacQuilliam has also made its way to other parts of the world. It has been found in the United States since at least the late 1700s and as far afield as Australia during the 1800s.

Variations of the surname MacQuilliams

The surname MacQuilliams has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is the original form MacQuilliams, but other variations include MacQuillan, MacQuillin, MacQuilin, MacQuillan, MacQuillon and MacQuillean. It could also sometimes be spelled as MacQuiliams, MacWilliams, MacQuillon, MacQuillam, or Mackwilliam.

MacQuilliams is an Anglicised version of the Irish surname Mac Cuiliam. It can often be translated to mean "son of William". This patronymic surname is derived from the personal name William, which is a Norman form of the Germanic name Willelm, meaning "desire", "protection" and "helmet". It is a common name in both Scotland and Ireland, with many variants in its spelling.

MacQuilliams is derived from the English word 'aware', meaning to be aware of something, and its derived form, 'quill'. It is believed that the surname was a result of an ancestor who was conscious of their surroundings and the difficulties they encountered and who earned their living as a quill, a quill cutter or a feather worker.

The variant MacQuillon can be found in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and was an occupational name for someone who worked with quills or feathers. The related form of MacQuillam was common in Ireland, derived from the personal name Quillem, meaning 'powerful and wise'. The form MacQuillean is an Anglicised version of Mac an Chilleain, meaning 'son of the shallow one'. The form MacQuilin is also sometimes found in Scotland.

Variations of this surname can also be found as William or Williams in England and Wales. These surnames derived from both William and Willelm went through many changes in spelling as they were passed down through generations of families, resulting in the many unusual and unique forms still in existence today.

Famous people with the name MacQuilliams

• Pete MacQuilliams: American bassist and rock musician. He is best known as one of the founding members of the band Trapt and for collaborating with other popular musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe.
• Cortney MacQuilliams: British novelist and screenwriter. She is best known for her romantic comedy novels that have been made into films such as The Proposal and Letters to Juliet.
• Pete McQuilliams: American football player who played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders.
• Aidan McQuilliams: Irish actor who has appeared in several television series and films. He is most well known for his roles in The Tudors and Boardwalk Empire.
• Lilly MacQuilliams: Australian actress and model. She is best known for her roles in the television series Neighbours, Offspring and Home and Away.
• Alisha McQuilliams: Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She is best known for her debut album Bright Lights and for touring with the electronic music duo Adventure Club.
• David McQuilliams: South African film director and producer. He is best known for his films District 9 and Ender's Game.
• Simon MacQuilliams: British sculptor and installation artist. He is best known for his large-scale sculptures, which explore the relationship between technology and society.
• Kyle MacQuilliams: American politciain and former Senator. He is known for introducing progressive legislation on health care and education reform.
• Dahlia McQuilliams: American visual artist. She is best known for her abstract paintings and sculptures, which explore the relationship between science and nature.

Other surnames

MacQuillian