Surname Mac Quillian - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Quillian: What does the surname Mac Quillian mean?
The surname Mac Quillian is of Irish origin. The name is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Uighilín", which literally translates to "son of Hugelin". Therefore, the name indicates a familial or ancestral connection to a person named Hugelin. This highlights a common practice in Celtic culture where surnames would be derived from the first name of an ancestor, signaling the lineage of the individual. So, people with the Mac Quillian surname can trace their roots back to an ancestor named Hugelin. Over time, the spelling of the name has been anglicized and has varied, often being simplified for pronunciation, leading to variations such as McQuillan, MacQuillin, and others. Like most Irish surnames, there is also a clan association, with a rich history and heritage associated with the name. However, the specific significance or story attached to the name Hugelin or why this name was used as a marker of lineage isn't widely known or documented.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Quillian: Where does the name Mac Quillian come from?
The surname Mac Quillian is of Irish origin. It derives from the Gaelic Mac Uighilin, meaning "son of Hugeulin". Hugeulin refers to a personal name adapted from the Old Norse name, "Hugleikr". The Mac Quillians were lords of the Route in the late medieval period, their territory located in the northern part of County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Today, the surname has evolved into various forms due to misspelling and regional adaptations, such as McQuillan, MacQuillin, McQuillin, and more. Despite these variations, the name is not extremely common. It is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in the regions of Northern Ireland, due to its historical prominence there. To a lesser extent, the surname can also be found in countries where Irish diaspora settled, like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, it remains a relatively rare surname, its bearer's linked by heritage to the old Gaelic nobility.
Variations of the surname Mac Quillian
The surname Mac Quillian has a number of different variants and spellings, which can be attributed to the way names were often phonetically recorded in past times. As a result, the same original surname often emerged differently across generations and geographic locations, based on spelling variations. Primarily of Irish origin, Mac Quillian is derived from the Gaelic Mac Uighilin, meaning 'son of Hugelin' – a personal name introduced by the Normans that became popular due to the fame of St. Hugh.
Spelling variations of Mac Quillian include McQuillan, McQuillin, Quillan, Quillin, MacQuillan, MacQuillin, McQuillion, McQuillian, MacQuillion, and their respective "Mc" and "Mac" versions. The prefixes Mc and Mac are of Gaelic origin too and both mean 'son of', often used interchangeably.
These versions highlight the same core lineage, irrespective of the numerous translations and inflections that have been added or subtracted over time. Historically, the Mac Quillian family held a seat of power in Antrim, appearing often as a strong influence in Irish histories and politics. Despite the various spelling alterations, all forms point back to the same ancient roots in Irish culture and history.
Famous people with the name Mac Quillian
- Brendan McQuillan: Irish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Cork City.
- Peggy McQuillan: professional Irish dancer and actress.
- Diarmuid McQuillan: Gaelic football player from Northern Ireland.
- Paul McQuillan: former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the League of Ireland and the Championship.
- Ray McQuillan: Queen's University forward and former captain.
- Jake McQuillan: professional race car driver.
- Liam McQuillan: British rally driver and presenter.
- Bob McQuillan: Canadian ice hockey player who played for the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.
- Shane McQuillan: Irish singer-songwriter and producer.
- Naomi McQuillan: actress from Australia who is known for her roles in Hand of Blood and the television show Neighbours.