Surname Makgill - Meaning and Origin
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Makgill: What does the surname Makgill mean?
The surname Makgill is of Scottish origin and believed to be associated with the Scottish clan of MacGill, which is derived from a Gaelic patronymic name "Mac an ghoill", which means "son of the stranger". It could refer to a person unrelated by blood or an outsider in a particular society. This name evolved over time and the variant Makgill came into existence. The Scottish clan MacGill originated from the Scottish Lowlands in Galloway and Ayrshire. It is important to note that spelling variations of surnames were extremely common in the times when literacy was not widespread, which is why Makgill may have several variations such as MacGill, Magill, Makgill and others. It's also significant that many Scottish families took their surname from the name of a person or place, which was often of Gaelic origin. Southern Scotland was often under Norse influence, which can also be reflected in surnames like Makgill.
Order DNA origin analysisMakgill: Where does the name Makgill come from?
The surname Makgill is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac an Ghoill", meaning "son of the stranger", referring to a Viking or non-Gaelic ancestor. The Makgill family rose to prominence in the 16th century in the Edinburgh area. One notable figure was Sir James Makgill, who held the prestigious position of Scotland’s Lord Clerk Register in the mid-1500s.
Despite its historical prevalence in Scotland, the Makgill surname is quite rare today, even in its country of origin. However, it may still be found among some families in Scotland. Additionally, due to the Scottish diaspora, it may also exist among families of Scottish descent living in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Yet, it remains a relatively uncommon surname compared to other Scottish surnames. Scholars interested in the Makgill family history should note that variations of the surname can include Makgill, Mackgill, Makgill, MacGill and others.
Variations of the surname Makgill
The surname Makgill has a Scottish origin, and like many surnames, it has seen various forms over time due to phonetic translations, regional dialects, or personal preferences.
Including Makgill, the most common spellings appear to be MacGill, McGill, Magill, and M'gill. Other variations include Makgeill, M'Geill, Macgeill, MacGeill, and Macgille.
The surname MacGill comes from the Gaelic word Mac an Ghoill, which translates to "son of the stranger" or "son of the foreigner". This is a common style in Gaelic naming where “Mac” or “Mc” is affixed to the beginning of a name to signify “son of”.
McGill also has a connection with the Clan MacNeil, who are referred to as MacNeill of Barra to differentiate them from the Clan MacNeil in Argyll. The Barra MacNeills are considered one of the oldest clans in the Hebrides and their connection to the McGill name is likely due to intermarriage and the evolution of surnames over centuries.
Given the history and diversity of Scottish surnames, there may be additional variations or related surnames not listed here.
Famous people with the name Makgill
- Sir George Ogilvie-Grant, 7th Baronet Makgill of Rankeillor, a British peer and soldier.
- Sir David Ogilvie-Grant, 10th Baronet Makgill of Rankeillor, the current British baronet.
- John Makgill, a South African artist and sculptor.
- William Makgill, a Scottish physician and philanthropist.
- Alfred Joseph Makgill, an Australian barrister and parliamentary draughtsman.
- Henry Makgill, a Canadian politician.
- Graham Makgill, a British academic and Christian theologian.
- Thomas Makgill, an English politician.
- Hamish Makgill, a British journalist and novelist.
- James Makgill, a British soldier and naval officer.