Surname McElivan - Meaning and Origin
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McElivan: What does the surname McElivan mean?
The last name McElivan is of Scottish or Irish origin, likely derived from the Gaelic Irish “Mac Giolla Bhaoithin”, which means “son of Giolla Bhaoithin.” Giolla Bhaoithin was a personal name that means “servant/devotee of St. John.”
Given the Gaelic origin of the surname, McElivan likely emerged over time from the Gaelic spelling Mac Giolla Bhaoithin, as immigration occured from Ireland and Scotland to other countries.
The surname is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, England, and Australia. It is less common in the United States, where it has been suggested it is more recent and a result of immigration. Multiple branches of the McElivan family today are found across the United States, from smaller cities and towns in New England to the sunny South.
In modern times, the McElivan surname is usually written as McElivan or MacElivan, although variants of the spelling exist. Names like McElaven, Macilvane, and MacElivan are also popular variants.
Given its Gaelic origins, the McElivan surname is a testament to how names, locations, languages, and cultures can shift and evolve throughout history. As the surname continues to combine with various cultures, it will continue to take on new meanings and evolve even further.
Order DNA origin analysisMcElivan: Where does the name McElivan come from?
The last name McElivan is most commonly found today in the counties of Cavan and Monaghan in the Ulster province of Ireland. It is believed to be of Irish origin, and is a relatively uncommon surname, with fewer than 500 people with that name living in Ireland today.
McElivan can be found in other countries too, albeit in much smaller numbers. It is present in the UK and the United States in particular. However in some parts of the world the McElivan name is close to extinction. The Australian cities of Melbourne and Sydney have few McElivan families, with only a few hundred people with that name living in those locations.
Although the exact origins of the McElivan name are unknown, one theory suggests that its roots lie in the Irish word "Mac Giolla Iomhair", which means "son of the devotee of Iomhair", an ancient Irish deity of the sea. It is also believed that the earliest recorded uses of the McElivan surname include Mag Liamhin, who is recorded as living in Cavan, Ireland in the year 1557.
Despite the fact that the McElivan name is rare today, it continues to be a reminder of its once strong presence in the area around Cavan and Monaghan. It is also a testament to the strength of the Irish people and the culture they have passed down through generations.
Variations of the surname McElivan
The surname McElivan has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is MacElivane which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Maolmhuáinn. Other spellings of this surname include MacIlveen, MacIlven, MacIlvane, Macweek, MacIlvain, and MacIlvan.
The earliest record of the surname McElivan can be traced back to the Irish county of Leitrim in the year 1385. It is believed to originate from the Irish Gaelic “Maoilmhuinn” which roughly translates to “servant of the one” and is an indication of the family’s ties to a local religious order.
Other variants of the surname McElvivan include McEllivan, McElvven, and McElliven. These names can also be found in the records of the Irish Civil Registration system, suggesting that the McElvivan surname has been in existence in Ireland since the mid-19th century.
The anglicized spelling of the surname McElivan has also been adopted by Scots and Irish immigrants in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In these countries, variants of the surname, including McElven, McElvin, McElvene, McElvan, McIlven, MacEllvin, MacEllven, and MacIlven, can be found.
The McElivan surname is also derived from the ancient Gaelic name O’Maolmhuinn which itself is of Irish descent. This surname has simultaneously been anglicized to various different spellings throughout history, including MacIlven, MacEliven, MacWeek, and MacIlvain.
In addition to the variants mentioned earlier, this surname may also have been adapted and evolved into other surnames such as Macllvane, Macllin, Macllven, Maclveen, and Maclvin.
Famous people with the name McElivan
- Daryl McElivane: former professional soccer player
- Micky McElivan: singer-songwriter
- Jim McElivan: actor
- Tim McElivan: professional golfer
- Matt McElivan: Olympic distance runner
- Richard McElivan: former NASA astronaut
- Sean McElivan: NFL running back
- Patrick McElivan: former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Megan McElivan: world champion beach volleyball player 10.Kelley McElivan: American TV producer