Surname McQuillan - Meaning and Origin

McQuillan: What does the surname McQuillan mean?

The surname McQuillan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Uighilin" meaning "son of Hugelin," a personal name brought to Ireland by the Normans, which is from the Old French "hug", heart or spirit. The McQuillan family was a powerful clan in Northern Ireland, particularly around the area of County Antrim, during the Middle Ages. The McQuillans were known as Lords of the Route, that is, an area in Antrim stretching from the town of Ballycastle to the shores of Lough Neagh. Over the years, variations of the name have included Quillan, MacQuillan, McQuillan, McQuillin, McQuillian, and others. The family motto is "Justus esto, et non metue" which translates as "Be just and fear not." Remember that surnames are subject to regional variations, changing spellings, and pronunciation influences, hence the meaning can also vary.

McQuillan: Where does the name McQuillan come from?

The surname McQuillan is of Irish origin, stemming from the Gaelic name Mac Uighilín, meaning "son of Hugelin". This name has been anglicized over time to McQuillan. The surname has historical origins in the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland, particularly in County Antrim, where the family ruled until the late 16th century.

Today, the surname McQuillan is still common in Ireland, particularly in the northern regions. It is also found in other English-speaking countries with large Irish diaspora populations, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, as with many surnames, technological advancements and global connectivity have dispersed bearers of the McQuillan surname around the world.

Variations of the surname McQuillan

The surname McQuillan has Irish origins, and over the years has seen changes in its spelling depending on geographical location and personal preference. These changes have resulted in a number of variations and similar surnames.

Some of these spellings may include: McQuillen, McQuillin, McQuillian, McQuillon, McQuilan, McQuelen, McQuellen, and McQuillinan.

The surname could also adopt an "O" prefix as in O'McQuillan, or the simplified form Quillan without the "Mc". Some stories even suggest the name could have originally been Mac Uídhilín, which when anglicized, became McQuillan.

Occasionally, the "Mc" prefix itself is spelled differently, resulting in variants such as MacQuillan, MackQuillan or MakQuillan.

There might also be versions with the "Mac" separated from the rest of the surname like Mac Quillan.

In general, any surname that starts with Mc or Mac followed by a derivation of Quillan may be considered a variant of the name, although individual family histories may vary. The McQuillan family was a powerful Irish dynasty in the Middle Ages and their rich legacy has resulted in many variations on their name.

Famous people with the name McQuillan

• Whitney McQuillan: an American television personality, model, promoter, actress and former MTV personality.
• Susie McQuillan: a Scottish singer, songwriter and musician.
• Pat McQuillan: a Canadian businessman and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor Inc.
• James Thomas McQuillan: an American baseball player who played throughout the late 19th century.
• Frank McQuillan: an American college basketball coach who worked for Georgia Tech from 1922-1947.
• Alison McQuillan: a British actress best known for her appearance in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.
• Graham McQuillan: an Irish professional football player who plays for League of Ireland Premier Division's Bray Wanderers.
• Patrick McQuillan: an Australian broadcaster known for his work with Triple M Network
• Mark McQuillan: an English actor, director and screenwriter working in the United Kingdom.
• Annie McQuillan: an American stage and television actress best known for her appearances in the television series The District and Chicago Hope.

Other surnames

McQuillenMcQuillianMcQuillinMcQuillingMcQuillon

Comments or additions to the name "McQuillan"

17.02.2024
Mary (Mollie) McQuillan, mother of American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald.