Surname McLeroy - Meaning and Origin
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McLeroy: What does the surname McLeroy mean?
The last name McLeroy is believed to be an Anglicization of either the Gaelic MacDhubhshlèibhe or the Irish Mac Giolla Riabhaigh. It is a patronymic name from the Mac prefix meaning "son of" and Dubhshlèibhe, which translates to “dark-grey-shire” or Giolla Riabhaigh from which “servant/follower of Riabach” is derived. The name is believed to have originated in County Down in Northern Ireland and is also found in Scotland as the surname Maclerie.
The ancestry of the McLeroys is thought to date back to the 10th century and be loosely associated with the Niall of the Nine Hostages dynasty. This powerful and influential Irish royal line produced several famed High Kings. It is believed that the McLeroy sept unfortunately never achieved the stature its royal pedigree deserved.
McLeroys are typically hearty, independent and intelligent. They are often resilient with a sense of humor. Historically, many McLeroys had an entrepreneurial spirit and were adept at business. Consequently, many a small farmer became a small businessman to support their growing families. Even today, the McLeroy name is often associated with success and achievement in various areas such as business, music, and the clergy.
Order DNA origin analysisMcLeroy: Where does the name McLeroy come from?
The last name McLeroy is of Scottish origin. It is most commonly found in the United States of America, but there are also smaller concentrations in England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Canada.
In the United States, the highest concentration of the McLeroy surname is in Georgia, followed by North Carolina and Tennessee. The largest cities with McLeroy residents are Atlanta, Charlotte, and Nashville. In total, there are about 2,000 people with this surname living in the United States.
The McLeroy surname has been found in Scotland as early as the 16th century. In Scotland, the McLeroy surname is chiefly found near the city of Glasgow.
In England, the surname McLeroy is not as common, but some records do exist from the mid-1800s in the county of Hertfordshire. In Northern Ireland, the surname is particularly concentrated in the city of Belfast.
In Canada, the surname is found in Ontario and British Columbia. The highest concentration of McLeroy is in Ontario, particularly near the cities of London and Toronto.
Overall, the last name McLeroy is most common in the United States, with smaller concentrations in Scotland, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Canada.
Variations of the surname McLeroy
The surname McLeroy is derived from Irish Gaelic and can be spelled several ways. The traditional Irish form of this name is Mac Giolla Rua, which is pronounced Macleh-roy. Other variations of this surname include MacLeroy, McLeroi, McLerrie, McLeroy, Mac Leroi, McLeran, and MacLerran.
In Scotland, this surname was often anglicized to Leroy, while in Ireland it was McLeroy. In the United States, the spelling McLeroy became popular in the 19th century, and this was historically the preferred spelling for Irish immigrants in America.
In addition to MacLeroy, other variations of this surname include MacLorry, MacLaurie, MacLaird, McLouri, and MacLaurin. Some of these spellings may be of Scottish origin and may also be found in English records.
The McLeroi variant is also found throughout the British Isles and may be of a Scottish origin. It's generally assumed that McLeroy is a patronymic name derived from a first name with the prefix “Mac”, meaning “son of”. Examples of this include MacLaren, which translates to “son of Laren”, and MacLaurin, which translates to “son of Laurin”.
The variant McLeran may also be derived from similar origins. It is thought to be the combination of McLeroy and MacLeran, or MacLauran, and may have been used to differentiate between extended family members with the same name.
Overall, the surname McLeroy has many variations and spellings, and can be traced back to its Irish Gaelic roots.
Famous people with the name McLeroy
- Bobby McLeroy: An American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
- Kevin McLeroy: An American television writer and producer, best known for his work on the series 3rd Rock from the Sun, Malcolm in the Middle, and Scrubs.
- Jay McLeroy: An American politician, former State Representative for Texas.
- Christine McLeroy: An American actress, best known for her roles in the films Double Impact and The Last Boy Scout.
- Jeff McLeroy: An American tennis coach and former professional player.
- Mike McLeroy: An American actor and voice artist, best known for his roles in the television series Get Smart and the films Thunderball and A Chorus Line.
- Charlie McLeroy: An American college football coach and former U.S. Army general.
- Steven McLeroy: An American entrepreneur and CEO of Family First Life.
- LJ McLeroy: An American poet, artist, and author of the book Like Laughter from Orthodoxy.
- Deon McLeroy: An American professional golfer and four-time winner on the PGA Tour Canada.