Surname McIlvoyle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McIlvoyle: What does the surname McIlvoyle mean?
The last name McIlvoyle is of Scottish origin. The 'Mc' prefix means 'son of,' typically used in surnames of Scottish and Irish Gaelic origin. The remainder of the name, 'Ilvoyle,' is less clear in its meaning due to various spellings and pronunciations over centuries. It's likely derived from a personal name or occupation, but exact records are scarce. Like many surnames, McIlvoyle may have originally described the bearer's occupation, residence, or a notable ancestor. It should be noted that many Scottish surnames have different regional variations and spellings. As such, the exact meaning may differ.
Order DNA origin analysisMcIlvoyle: Where does the name McIlvoyle come from?
The surname McIlvoyle is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Mhaoil, which translates to 'son of the devotee of Saint Máel'. Similar to many other surnames that begin with 'Mac' or 'Mc', it symbolizes the son of an ancestor with the given name.
The McIlvoyle surname dates back to ancient Scotland in the outer Hebrides, and it was first associated with the Clan Donald of the Isles. The McIlvoyle surname is not very common today and can be found in small numbers spread across several countries. However, a significant concentration of people bearing the surname McIlvoyle can still be found in Scotland, particularly in the Aberdeen area.
In addition, due to historical migration, the name is relatively more common in places like the United States, Canada, and Australia, which saw significant Scottish settlement in the 18th and 19th centuries. Nevertheless, the prevalence of the McIlvoyle surname generally remains quite low compared to other Scottish surnames.
Variations of the surname McIlvoyle
The surname McIlvoyle is of Scottish origin, stemming from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Bhuí. This name goes through various transliterations and transformations, resulting in a plethora of variations. Some common variations are MacIlvoyle, MacIlwaine, MacIlveen, MacGillvean, and McIlvaine, which all carry the same Gaelic root.
In addition to the variety of surnames rooted from Mac Giolla Bhuí, "Mac" in the beginning of a surname typically signifies "son of", so it is typical that "Mac" will sometimes be replaced with "Mc" due to anglicization. This results in further examples like McIlveen, McGillvean, and McIlwaine.
Moreover, the parts of the name itself can be rearranged or slightly altered to form alternative spelling variants such as Ilvoyle, Ilwaine, Ilveen, and Ilvane.
It's also not uncommon to see the names without the "Mac/Mc" prefix, such as just Ilvoyle, Ilwaine, Ilveen, or Gillvean, largely due to various typographical errors or personal preference in record keeping.
Overall, the surname McIlvoyle and all its variants reflect an intricate link to Scottish heritage and history.
Famous people with the name McIlvoyle
- Terence McIlvoy: Irish footballer
- Mary McIlvoy: American actress
- William Mortimer McIlvoy: Canadian doctor and old age pension pioneer
- Frank McIlvoy: Scottish actor
- Sean McIlvoy: Irish former Gaelic footballer
- John McIlvoy: Irish politician
- Sammy McIlvoy: Irish Gaelic football player and manager
- Liam McIlvoy: Irish former Gaelic footballer
- Jimmy McIlvoy: Scottish former professional footballer
- Liam McIlvoy: Irish former Gaelic football manager