Surname MacSpillane - Meaning and Origin
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MacSpillane: What does the surname MacSpillane mean?
The last name MacSpillane is derived from the Irish surname Mac Gille Fhinnéin, meaning 'son of the servant of (St) Finnian'. In Gaelic, this name is believed to have originated from the Connacht region of western Ireland, in counties Galway and Mayo.
The MacSpillane name dates back to the 13th century, when the first person with this surname is thought to have lived in the town of Ballymacspillane, located along the River Barrow in County Waterford, Ireland.
In the Name O'Neill reference book, this surname is described as being from county Sligo, as a possible alternate spelling.
However, MacSpillane remains a very common name in Connacht and in other parts of Ireland. The name is still used as a surname as well as a given name, with many people today still bearing this patronym.
MacSpillanes are known for their strong work ethic, loyalty and commitment to the land. Many of their descendants are active in the preservation of their ancestral heritage, and they are often involved in Irish politics, in both individual and collective capacities. This involves the protection of their rights and culture, and the continued development of their communities, with a strong focus on economic, environmental and social concerns.
This is a reflection of the MacSpillane legacy, and highlights their desire to stay connected to their roots, and their commitment to preserving their unique culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacSpillane: Where does the name MacSpillane come from?
The last name MacSpillane is a widely found Irish name, especially in parts of the Irish diaspora. In Ireland, the surname is most commonly found in County Cork, as well as County Kerry and County Limerick, but it is also relatively common throughout the country. In the United States, the surname can be found in many states up and down the East Coast, particularly in New England, from Massachusetts to Maine. It is also found around the Great Lakes region, the Midwest, and even California.
The name is believed to have originated from the Irish Mac an Spillain, which means "son of Spillane". In addition, the name is associated with the Gaelic Mag sbiolain, which translates to mean "one who is of small strength," suggesting that the original bearers of this surname were of such a personality.
Today, MacSpillane is an uncommon name compared to some of the more common Irish surnames, but is still found throughout the world in both Ireland and America. Despite this, the name is still very much an important part of Irish heritage, and remains a reminder of the strength and perseverance of Irish immigrants in a new and unfamiliar land.
Variations of the surname MacSpillane
The MacSpillane surname is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac an Spailpín and can be found spelled in many different ways including MacSpillane, Mac spealain, Mac Spillane, Macspealainn, McSpillone, McSpillan, Spillane, Spealain and Speallin.
The name originated in Ireland, most likely in County Cork, and was commonly found amongst the families of the territory of Uí Liatháin, or the Tribe of Lewy.
The Irish version of the name translates to ‘son of the pilgrim’ and, while some scholars suggest that the original pilgrim was a 15th century church leader, others argue that the Pilgrim was likely a 5th century religious figure named Spillan.
The MacSpillanes have a history of loyalty to the crown and were often given lands and titles in recognition of their service.
The immediate descendants of the MacSpillanes later adopted the English spelling of Spillane and that version of the name was eventually anglicised further into various forms including Spillane, Spallan, and Spallen.
The spelling McSpillane and MacSpillane have remained popular variations of the name, commonly found amongst the Irish diaspora throughout the world.
Though the name is still closely associated with Irish culture, it is also common amongst Scottish and English families who adopted the name after the 18th century.
Famous people with the name MacSpillane
- Kay MacSpillane: British actress most known for roles in shows like "Bombshell," "Minority Report" and "Grace and Frankie."
- Alice MacSpillane: British singer/songwriter who released her debut EP "Shoreline" in 2020.
- Mike MacSpillane: Irish-American retired Major League Baseball catcher who played with the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers.
- John MacSpillane: Irish Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter who has had several singles on the Irish charts.
- J.J. MacSpillane: American professional wrestler who has appeared in WWE, IMPACT Wresting, and other promotions.
- Patrick MacSpillane: British screenwriter and director best known for his work on popular TV series like "Sherlock," "Broadchurch," and "The Handmaid's Tale."
- Melissa MacSpillane: American journalist, author, and editor most recently seen as the host of the podcast "Spillane In The Morning."
- Julie MacSpillane: British actress and voiceover artist with several years of experience on TV, film, radio and stage.
- Charlotte MacSpillane: British entrepreneur who is the founder of a multi-media company and a beauty/wellness blog.
- Conor MacSpillane: Irish mixed martial artist and Muay Thai fighter who has competed professionally since 2015.