Surname McElee - Meaning and Origin
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McElee: What does the surname McElee mean?
The origins of the surname McElee can be traced back to Scotland, where it is a variant of the MacLeay surname. The name is derived from the Gaelic word “Mac an Leagha” which translates to “son of the physician.” This denotes someone whose lineage includes a doctor or healer in the family. In some cases, the surname could also be an Anglicized version of the Gaelic Mac Dhubhghaill, meaning “son of the dark-haired stranger.”
Like other Scottish surnames, the McElee name may have a clan association. One such example is the McLeay clan of Dunaree, in Argyll and Bute, who were known for their fierce fighters. The clan is believed to have been descended from Gilleasbuig Carrach, who was a member of the royal house of Dal Riata.
Throughout Scottish history, the McElee name has evolved into different spellings and variations, such as McLeay, MacLeay, MacLee, MacLees, McElizabeth and MacKellee. Today, it is primarily found in Scotland, with some people having adopted the name after emigrating to other parts of the world.
The McElee surname has a long and interesting history, and the bearer of the name can take pride in the rich legacy that it conveys. This legacy is one of strength, resilience and a sense of belonging to an ancient people who have made an impressive mark on the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMcElee: Where does the name McElee come from?
The last name McElee is a very rare surname throughout the world. However, it is most commonly found in its native Scotland, where records show that it is present in both the highlands and the lowlands. Interestingly, the surname also has a presence in Ireland, in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, where there are McElee families in counties such as Down and Donegal.
Today, the surname can also be found in parts of England and Canada, with a few McElee families residing in various parts of Wales and in some of the eastern Canadian provinces. In the United States, the surname is present in all fifty states, although most of them have only one or two families bearing this name. The highest concentrations of people with the last name McElee are found in the states of New York and Tennessee, with Connecticut, Virginia and South Carolina also having notable populations.
The McElee surname displays many variations in its spelling, with McEle(e), McEly and McClay all found in records from different places around the world. Variants such as McErev and MacElery have been found in Scotland, while McElaoy and McEleigan have been found in Ireland.
Despite its rarity, the McElee surname continues to live on in various parts of the world today. With its presence in Scotland, Ireland, England, the US, Canada and other parts of the world, it is a testament to the mobility of generations on the past, and a reminder of the connections between different countries and cultures.
Variations of the surname McElee
The surname McElee has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common alternate spellings are McElay, MacEley, MacEly, MacElye, MacElle, MacEllee, MacClay, Macclee, McEley, McEly, McElye, and McElle. Ultimately, all of these surnames are derived from the Gaelic "McIlle”, which means “son of the foreigner” or “lover of foreigners”.
The surname McElee is associated with Ireland and Scotland and can be found in both countries. In Scotland, the McElee surname is most commonly found in the regions of Argyllshire, Inner Hebrides, and the Northern Isles. In Ireland, the McElee surname can be commonly found in County Kerry, Ulster, and Connacht.
McElee is sometimes seen as a variant of Clara, a Gaelic name which comes from clár, meaning "a board or list of people" or "flat piece of wood". This name is also associated with Chloe, a Greek origin name meaning “green shoot”.
The surnames McElee, McElay, MacEley, MacEly, MacElye, MacElle, MacEllee, MacClay, Macclee, McEley, McEly, McElye, and McElle are all surnames which are ultimately derived from the Gaelic “McIlle” and are all related. Whether you are researching your ancestral roots, or simply curious about what surnames are associated with the surname McElee, understanding their origins and connections can be incredibly valuable.
Famous people with the name McElee
- Sir Gerry McElee: British politician
- Sammy McElee: American singer-songwriter
- Lennon McElee: American actor
- Peter McElee: Australian musician
- Craig McElee: Canadian actor
- Paul McElee: British comedian
- John McElee: Scottish actor
- Dayna McElee: American musician
- Eddy McElee: British game show host
- Jennifer McElee: Australian writer
- Hugh McElee: New Zealand filmmaker
- Patrick McElee: Scottish professional footballer
- Mark McElee: Canadian comedian
- Alex McElee: American MMA fighter
- Colleen McElee: Canadian writer
- Aidan McElee: Irish actor
- Miles McElee: British actor
- Diane McElee: American journalist
- Angus McElee: Australian vlogger
- Stephanie McElee: American artist