Surname McKilrae - Meaning and Origin

McKilrae: What does the surname McKilrae mean?

The last name McKilrae is a patronymic name thought to have derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, which translates to "son of the devotee of Riabhach". The Riabhach in this patronymic refers to the river in Glenbeg, County Donegal, Ireland. It is believed that the family migrated from Scotland to Ireland in the early middle ages, and the Mackilrae family has been traced to County Donegal since the 15th century.

The Mackilrae surname is classified as a sept, meaning they were a clan or family that descended from a common progenitor, which in this case would be Riabhach. The septs were known for their loyalty, rarely venturing out of their family’s traditional area. The Mackilrae clan has held to this loyalty over the centuries, as evidenced by the fact that large swaths of the family can still be found in County Donegal.

The meaning the Mackilrae name has embodied for centuries is one of family loyalty and longtime ties with a small geographic area. Surrounding families in County Donegal likely remember them fondly for their loyalty over the centuries. Though the meaning of the name has likely changed with the more recent generations, the Mackilraes may stand as a representation of the strength of kinship relationships and service to one’s country or area.

McKilrae: Where does the name McKilrae come from?

The last name McKilrae is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland, but can also be found in many parts of the United Kingdom and the United States. In Scotland and Ireland, the surname McKilrae is most frequently found in the areas of Ayrshire, Glasgow, and the Lowlands.

In the United States, the last name McKilrae can be found in many states across the country. The states with the highest accumulation of McKilrae’s include Pennsylvania, New York, and California.

The McKilrae’s have a rich history in the United Kingdom as well. In Scotland, the surname McKilrae can be traced back to 1850, while in Ireland it can be traced back to the mid-1700’s. In the United Kingdom, the last name McKilrae is associated with a long and distinguished line of sailors and farmers from the Ayrshire area.

Today, McKilrae’s living in Scotland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States all have a strong connection with one another and with their rich heritage. This rich heritage and connection united McKilrae’s all over the world.

Variations of the surname McKilrae

The surname McKilrae has a variety of spellings and variants that derive from the same ancient Scottish root. The most common variants of McKilrae are Macalra, MacKelroy, MacKilroy, MacKiluray, McKelray, McKelroy, McLaurie and M’Kelroy. All of these variants evolved from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Raith meaning 'son of the servant of judgment'.

The earliest recorded mention of this surname is from 1214 A.D., when Reimundus filius Machelroye witnessed a charter, which granted land in East Lothian, Scotland to the abbey of Newbotle. From then on, the name McKilrae began to spread in various spellings throughout parts of Scotland, Ireland, and the British Isles.

The most popular spelling of the surname McKilrae today is ‘M’Kelroy’ and is still found in small numbers amongst obsolete spellings like Macilroy, Maclaurie, and Mackelroy. Other variants that have survived are McKelray, MacKilroy and MacKiluray.

For many families, the spelling of the surname has changed from generation to generation due to poor literacy rates and a desire to find work abroad. For example, the spelling MacKilray is known to have been changed to MacIlrae in certain areas early in the 18th century.

Today, the surname McKilrae is found in the United States, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, England, Australia, and New Zealand although the most common variants in these countries are McKelroy, MacKilroy, MacKiluray, and M’Kelroy.

Famous people with the name McKilrae

• Jaclyn McKillrae: Canadian model and actress
• Mitch McKillrae: Canadian singer and songwriter
• Keith McKillrae: former American football player
• Daphne McKillrae: American musician
• Fraser McKillrae: Canadian actor
• Trish McKillrae: former ice skater and MP for Berwick, Nova Scotia
• Wes McKillrae: former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Lindsay McKillrae: Canadian actress, director and producer
• Cheryl McKillrae: Chief Executive Officer at McKillrae & Associates
• Colin McKillrae: American entrepreneur and philanthropist

Other surnames

McKilroy