Surname Mylrea - Meaning and Origin
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Mylrea: What does the surname Mylrea mean?
The last name Mylrea is derived from the Irish surname O Maolmhuire, which means “servant (or follower) of Mary.” Historically, the name is associated with the Isle of Man, and may be an Anglicization of the Manx-language name Maelmuire.
The exact origins of the name are unknown, but Gaelic names often indicated a person’s occupation, description, or ancestor’s name. Thus, it is assumed that Mylrea is derived from a family who had religious or spiritual connotations, or even from a well-known religious figure.
The name appears in historical records, such as a Sir John Mylrea, who was the High Sheriff of the Isle of Man in 1683. Mylrea is not a very common surname, however it is recognized around Ireland, the UK, and Australia.
Today, Mylrea is a proud, lasting legacy for the families who have inherited this surname. Whether its holders are descendants of original Irish settlers, are of Manx descent, or are of any other ancestry, Mylrea is an evocative and meaningful name that has its roots in religious and spiritual connections.
Order DNA origin analysisMylrea: Where does the name Mylrea come from?
Today, the surname Mylrea is most common in the Isle of Man, where the family has been present since at least the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old Norse "mal-rua," meaning “meadow.” The name is derived from a family of Manx knights of Norman origin, traditionally the owners of the lands of Mylrea. The earliest known mention of Mylrea is in the deed of a 12th-century gift from two Norman knights, Meyler de la Dannoniere and Robert de Mandeville, to the Bishop of Sodor and Mann of a piece of land that later became the Mylrea estate.
The Mylrea name appears historically in a variety of spellings, including Mylross, Milros, Milkrey, Millros, Mallree, Milner, Millross, Milrow, and Mellrow.
Today, the Mylrea name can be found throughout the British Isles and in parts of the United States. Manx surnames Mylrea, Mylrea-Fowle, and Mylrea-Powell are common in the Isle of Man, and in the United Kingdom, the Mylrea name is most prevalent in the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Cumbria. In the US, the name can be found in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. The Mylrea name is also reported from other, more distant countries, such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Mylrea family website suggest that the family remained prominent in politics, government, and the law on the Isle of Man for many centuries, and continue to live there today, though in much fewer numbers.
Variations of the surname Mylrea
The spelling and variations of the surname Mylrea are generally quite consistent across regions and cultures. Common variants include Mylrea, Milrea, Milray, Mylera, Milroy, Mylreah and Molrea.
The surname is of Manx origin and is derived from the Gaelic 'McIlrea,' meaning 'son of Ildroth.' It is believed to be a corruption of the Gaelic Monadh-Righ, meaning 'mountain king.' 'Mylrea' appears to be a phonetic interpretation of this phrase into English.
It is considered an Anglicised form of the Old Gaelic personal name 'Athirlir,' but may also originate from the Irish name 'O'Maol Reatha,' meaning 'descendant of Reatha.' It is likely to have found its way to the Isle of Man via immigrants from Ireland in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The name may also have arisen independently in Cornwall, as there are records of a Milleroa or Mylrea in the area as early as the 16th century. It is also present in Scotland, where it is known as Millre or Millar. Records of the family were noted in the 14th century and it is thought to have originated in the Galloway region. It is possible the surname arrived in Scotland from Ireland.
The surname Mylrea is still found today across the United Kingdom and in other countries. It is thought to have once been particularly prevalent in the Isle of Man but, due to further Anglicisation and emigration, it is believed it has now become less common.
Famous people with the name Mylrea
- Brigadier General Robert Mylrea: a former senior British Army officer and current secretary of the Europe and International Defence Committee.
- Paul Mylrea: English former professional footballer.
- John Mylrea: a professional golfer in the early 20th century.
- Simon Mylrea: a former professional rugby union player for English side Saracens.
- Matthew Mylrea: an Isle of Man Scuba Diver and News Editor at Manx Radio.
- Robert Mylrea: a British television producer, specialising in natural history programming.
- Brian Mylrea: a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman.
- John Mylrea: a British former professional marathon runner.
- Arthur Mylrea: an American politician who served in the New York State Senate from 1873 to 1877.
- May Mylrea: a British actress and theatrical producer.