Surname McQuilkin - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McQuilkin: What does the surname McQuilkin mean?
The surname McQuilkin is of Scottish origin, derived from Gaelic MacUilcín, meaning 'son of little William.' The prefix 'Mac' generally indicates that the person is 'son of.' The 'Quilkin' part is a diminutive form of the popular personal name William, implying affection or familiarity, which might refer to a 'little William' or 'young William.' The name William itself means 'Resolute protector.' Therefore, McQuilkin can suggest 'son of the little resolute protector.' As with many surnames of this kind, it would initially have been a patronymic to distinguish between different individuals with the same first name in the same community. Over time it became a hereditary surname. The surname is quite rare today and is found mostly in Northern Ireland, indicating it probably spread there from Scotland during the plantation period.
Order DNA origin analysisMcQuilkin: Where does the name McQuilkin come from?
The surname McQuilkin is of Scottish origin but is also found in Ireland, particularly in the Ulster region. The name is believed to have originated from Mac Uilcín, meaning "son of little William" or "son of the wolf-kin", with the 'Mc' or 'Mac' part of the name meaning 'son of'. Over time, spellings have varied due to the translation from Gaelic to English, with variations including McQuilken, McQuilkin, and MacQuilkin.
In modern times, the surname is mostly found in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. However, it remains less common overall, contributing to its categorization as a somewhat unique or rare surname. It spread to these regions mainly during the 19th and early 20th centuries when many Scots and Irish emigrated, escaping economic hardship and seeking better opportunities. Many brought their unique surnames with them, resulting in the spread of typically Celtic and Gaelic names, such as McQuilkin. Today, descendants of these families continue to bear the McQuilkin name in these countries.
Variations of the surname McQuilkin
The surname McQuilkin has Scottish and Irish origins and is believed to have derived from the Gaelic Mac Uilcín. This surname has been spelled many different ways, consistent with the common trend of the time when spelling rules lacked uniformity.
Variations of the McQuilkin last name may include: McQuilken, McQuillan, McQuillen, McQuillin, McQuillkin, McQuilking, MacQuilkin, McQuilkien, McQuilkin, McWhilkin, McQilkin, McQuelkin, MacQuillan, MacQuillen, and MacQuillin.
Often, these surnames underwent modifications due to phonetic variations and regional accents, meaning even within a particular geographic area, it could have multiple spellings. Similarly, surnames often changed when family members emigrated to other countries or regions. For instance, the McQuilkin surname might have changed to something entirely different when the family moved from Scotland or Ireland to North America or other parts of the world.
There may also be surnames which are not direct variants but share the same or similar morphemes including: MacQuillian, MacWilkon, MacQuilkan, and MacQuilken.
The intricacies of language evolution and regional accents may result in a plethora of variations in the spelling of a surname like McQuilkin.
Famous people with the name McQuilkin
- Robertson McQuilkin: A renowned Christian speaker and author, and former president of Columbia Bible College and Seminary (today known as Columbia International University). He was recognized for his devotion to his wife, stepping down from his position to care for her when she developed Alzheimer's.
- Muriel McQuilkin: Wife of Robertson McQuilkin. She was a missionary and Bible teacher, known for her struggle with Alzheimer's, which led her husband to resign from his prestigious position to care for her.
- Roderick McQuilkin: A well-known chemist, best remembered for his work in the field of quantitative analysis.
- David McQuilkin: An American basketball coach, particularly known for his stint as assistant coach at the Radford University.
- J. Robertson McQuilkin: Former president and Bible teacher at Columbia International University, recognized globally as an expert in biblical interpretation. Most of the famous individuals with the last name "McQuilkin" are associated with academia, religion or sports. Note that Robertson McQuilkin is often called "J. Robertson McQuilkin," as they are the same person.
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "McQuilkin"
08.01.2024
Robert McQuilkin would have been in the Caribbean island of Grenada sometime around 1919 where he had a son named Kenneth with one Bridget Andrews. Don’t know if anyone has information on him.