Surname McKeller - Meaning and Origin
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McKeller: What does the surname McKeller mean?
The surname McKeller is of Scottish origin and derives from the Gaelic name “Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe” which roughly translates to “son of the yellow-haired warrior” or "son of the yellow-haired hero”. The members of the family were so named because of their valiant efforts in defending their lands and fighting for their beliefs. The name is associated with the highlands and the west coast of Scotland, particularly in Dumbartonshire and on the Isle of Skye. Over time, the spelling of the surname has been subjected to many alterations such as MacKellar, McKeller, MacKellor, and others. As with many Scottish surnames, the McKellers that migrated to North America during the Highland Clearances in the late 18th and early 19th centuries can be found with and without the "Mc" prefix, depending on the level of integration of the individual or family into the new society.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKeller: Where does the name McKeller come from?
The surname McKeller is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name MacKellar, meaning "son of the cellarman," indicating a familial assignment to the role of a wine steward or butler. This task was an important role in medieval large households, particularly in monasteries. The family associated with this name originates from the Argyll region of Scotland, and a large portion of the family settled on the Island of Islay. In terms of where this surname is common today, it is most often found in English-speaking countries such as Canada, the United States, and Australia owing to historical migration patterns. Additionally, the name can also still be found in Scotland and England due to enduring familial ties in these regions. However, the surname McKeller is not particularly common anywhere and can be considered somewhat rare. Records show lesser proportion of this surname compared to other surnames within the above mentioned countries.
Variations of the surname McKeller
The surname McKeller has Scottish origins and is considered to be of patronymic derivation, originating from the personal name of the bearer's father or another male ancestor. Its variants and spellings may include MacKellar, MacKeller, McKellar, M'Kellar, M'Keller.
This surname may also have been influenced by geographical location in Scotland, as Mac or Mc prefixes often signify "son of" and "Keller" could refer to a Settlement or area.
It's important to note that spelling variations were common in Scottish names due to changes in the English language, as well as translation and transcription errors. Sometimes the same individual was recorded under several spelling variations in different documents.
In some cases, the surname McKeller might have been anglicized from a Gaelic form like "MacFhialain" or variations thereof. The English phonetic spelling can also vary, including forms like Mackellar and MacKeller.
Surname variations depend on a host of factors including personal preference, phonetics, regional accents, and literacy levels. Therefore, while the aforementioned spellings and interpretations are common, many other variations may have occurred over the centuries. All factors considered, McKeller is a name of complex origins and pronunciations.
Famous people with the name McKeller
- Wilderness McKellar: Canadian actor, director, and producer.
- Earnest McKeller, Jr.: American College Basketball Coach.
- Anna McKellar: British female tennis player.
- Mckell David: American dancer best known for his work in the reality show So You Think You Can Dance.
- Ross McKeller: Australian actor best known for his appearances in television shows such as Secret City and A Place to Call Home.
- Jamil McKeller: American football running back who played for the New York Giants.
- Don McKellar: Canadian actor, writer and director best known for his roles in films such as Last Night and The Age of Adaline.
- Virgil McKellar: American philanthropist and businessman.
- Regina McKellar: American actress, best known for her roles in television shows like The Vampire Diaries and The Flash.
- Alexander McKeller: British actor, singer and voice actor best known for his roles in films such as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.