Surname MacQuinnelly - Meaning and Origin
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MacQuinnelly: What does the surname MacQuinnelly mean?
The last name MacQuinnelly is an old Irish surname of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "MacUinnshleibhe", which means "son of the son of a chief" or "descendant of the chief". The prefix "Mac" signifying son of, and the suffix "ly" originating from the Gaelic "Laith," which translates to laity.
The name first appeared in the Annals of Ulster in the 12th century, where it was recorded as "MacUinnshleibhe", and again in the fourteenth century as "MacQuinnilley". In the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries the name MacQuinnelly was found mostly in the county of Galway in Ireland. The predominant clan of the MacQuinnellys were most likely located in County Galway.
The MacQuinnellys were a family of wealth, with many of their members holding important positions in the government and army during the eighteenth century. During this time, they were known to be loyal to the Stuart kings of England, such as Charles II of England.
It is likely that the main family of MacQuinnellys still resides in Ireland, while other branches of the family may have spread to nearby countries, such as Scotland and the United States. The family was well-known for its prestige and loyalty during the early days of Irish immigration, and the name has continued to be respected to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisMacQuinnelly: Where does the name MacQuinnelly come from?
The last name MacQuinnelly is most commonly found today in Ireland. According to a 2019 survey, it ranks as the 1,350th most-common surname in the country. The name itself is believed to have originated in County Tyrone in Ulster. It is derived from the Gaelic phrase "Mac Uidhilin,” which means "son of Odhran.” In Irish history, families bearing this name were distinguished for their service to the other branches of the O’Neill family. The associated coat of arms is blazoned as follows: Azure, three chevrons conjoined in fesse argent, three cross crosslets gules, on a chief of the second a lion rampant of the third. The crest, a dexter arm in armour embowed holding a sword proper, alludes to the military service of this distinguished surname.
Today, the name is spread all over the world, with large populations in Northern Ireland, Canada, United States, and Australia. It is most frequently encountered in Connaught and Ulster, with smaller concentrations in Munster and Leinster. In addition, members of the MacQuinnelly family can still be found in England and Scotland. Though the name is often seen in North America, it is still more common in Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacQuinnelly
The MacQuinnelly surname is derived from the Gaelic version of “Mac Cuinnealaigh”, which translates from Irish to “son of Conall’s descendant”. Historically, it is an Irish surname and is known to have been particularly associated with various parts of Ulster and Connacht in the north of Ireland.
Variants of the name MacQuinnelly include MacConelly, MacQuinly, MacQuinney, MacYinley, MacConley and MacYinney. The original spelling, “MacCuinnealaigh”, has also been adapted in different ways, including MacConally, MacCunnelly, MacCunnely and MacKinnelly. There are also numerous derivatives of MacQuinnelly such as Quinnally, MacQuelly, Quelly, Quinelly and Kinnally.
Surnames linked by ancestry to MacQuinnelly include Cunnally, Conelle, Cunneely, Cunnelly, Cunnely, Quirin, Quirke and McQuirke. All these variations of the same Gaelic derivation can also be linked by spelling variations of the name throughout different parts of Ireland, Scotland and England.
Many of these surnames have been traced back to a single family, O’Cuinneilir, which is located in Cork, Tipperary, and parts of Waterford. The O’Cuinneilir family is recorded in ancient Irish records as far back as the 10th century and are believed to be amongst the earliest Gaelic baptised families.
Famous people with the name MacQuinnelly
- Derek MacQuinnelly: Emmy-winning set decorator who worked on films like Jurassic World, Ready Player One, War of the Worlds and X- Men: First Class.
- Hunter MacQuinnelly II: prominent attorney from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Tristan MacQuinnelly: Irish rugby player who plays for Ulster and the Irish national team.
- Midge MacQuinnelly: American actress who appeared in The Good Wife, Rubicon and Mercy Street.
- Jack MacQuinnelly: Former professional American Football player who played for the New York Jets.
- Martin MacQuinnelly: British actor who is best known for his role in the movie War of the Worlds.
- Patrick MacQuinnelly: Award-winning filmmaker from Chicago, Illinois, who has directed films like Double Whole Nine Yards (2016) and Tango (2015).
- Sheila MacQuinnelly: Award-winning musician and songwriter from Scotland.
- David MacQuinnelly: Renowned painter, sculptor, and multi-media artist from San Francisco, California.
- Robert MacQuinnelly: Popular entrepreneur from Birmingham, Alabama, who is the founder and CEO of Big Biz Ventures.