Surname McElrea - Meaning and Origin
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McElrea: What does the surname McElrea mean?
The last name McElrea is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, meaning "son of the proud king." This name is found mainly in Northern Ireland and in the Scottish Highlands, which were regions heavily populated by Gaelic speakers in medieval times.
This name is of patronymic origin, indicating that it refers to a male descendant of a particular ancestor, likely a king, chieftain or head of a clan. Common surnames stemming from the same Gaelic root are McIlroy, Eliroy and Gilroy.
The surname McElrea was likely borne by men of the Ó Eachridhe clan, a branch of the Uí Fiachrach, an ancient Irish kingdom that long held power in parts of modern-day country Mayo. The current Anglican spelling of the name,excluding the prefix ‘Mac’, dates back to the 17th century.
Throughout the centuries, the McElrea surname has become closely associated with Ireland and Scotland. Today, it can be found in families across both countries, as well as in countries around the world where Irish and Scottish settlers and immigrants have settled.
All in all, the surname McElrea is a reminder of Ireland’s rich history and culture, and the proud legacy of a long line of proud kings, generals and warriors who defended their people and their lands against foreign invaders. It is a name of strength, courage and resilience—qualities deserving of admiration and respect.
Order DNA origin analysisMcElrea: Where does the name McElrea come from?
The last name McElrea is a fairly rare surname, especially in its original spellings. It is most commonly found in Ireland, Northern Ireland, the northeast of England, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.
Studies of the name indicate that it originated with the Mac Giolla Riabhaigh clan, a member of the infectious 'tribes' of Irish gallowglass mercenaries that served prominent Irish houses in the Middle Ages. As gallowglass, they were often in remote locations and followed by a population of their kinsmen, who adopted Anglicized versions of their name to fit into the places they had called home.
McElrea is still a fairly common name in Ireland and the surrounding islands today. The Irish version of the name is Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, which is derived from the Irish words mac (meaning "son"), giolla (meaning "lad"), and riabhaigh (meaning "freckled").
In Scotland, one branch of the McElrea family traces its roots back to the Isle of Skye, while others have settled in Sutherland, Ross-shire, and Orkney. In England, the last name is most frequently found in the north and northeast where there is significant Irish immigration.
In the United States, the last name McElrea is most commonly found in states with larger Irish populations, such as New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname McElrea
The surname McElrea is a variant of many similar surnames of Celtic origin. It can also be spelled as McElroy, McElree, MacElrea, MacElroy, McElrath, MacElrath, McElreath, MacElreath, McElreahe, McEllroi, and McIllory.
McElrea is an Anglo-Scottish variant of the Irish name "Mac Giolla Riabhaigh". It is believed to have originated from the Irish phrase of "Giolai Riabhach" meaning "greedy grey". It is derived from the Gaelic "Gille" which means "servant", combined with "Riabhach" which translates to "grey".
The McElrea surname has been used as a last name in Ireland, Scotland, and Northern Ireland for centuries. Different spellings of the surname can be found in census records and vital documents from the early 1200s. These spellings can also be seen in documents indicating baptisms, weddings, and other important events from this time.
The McElrea surname is likely to have been adopted by descendants of the Irish clans that originated in Ulster. The Irish clans may have adopted the surname McElrea to distinguish themselves from those of other nationalities or backgrounds. Those with the McElrea name are likely descendants of Scotch-Irish families who immigrated to America in the 1600s.
The McElrea surname may also have been adopted over time by migrants from Scotland who settled in North America. Over time, the McElrea surname may also have been described in more phonetic spelling variations as well, such as McElroy, MacElroy, and MacElry. Regardless of the spelling, it is likely that people with the McElrea surname share a common ancestor or set of origins.
Famous people with the name McElrea
- Brock McElrea: a professional mixed martial arts fighter from New Zealand
- Merilyn McElrea: Australian racecar driver
- Robert McElrea: Canadian politician and Member of Provincial Parliament
- Ryan McElrea: New Zealand rugby union player
- Edgar McElrea: former Canadian Supreme Court Justice
- Paul McElrea: Canadian rugby union player
- Peter McElrea: Canadian businessman and philanthropist
- Michael McElrea: Australian singer, songwriter, and music producer
- Bruce McElrea: New Zealand-born triathlete
- John McElrea: Scottish-born, Australian filmmaker