Surname MacAlary - Meaning and Origin

MacAlary: What does the surname MacAlary mean?

The last name MacAlary is a surname of Scottish origin. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic MacGilleMhaolruaidh, meaning 'son of the servant of the devotee of St. Ruadhe'. The anglicised variation of the name is MacAlary.

The MacAlary surname is found particularly in the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland, such as Lewis and Harris, and the Argyll and Bute region of the Scottish Highlands. The MacAlarys of Lewis are descended from the Clan Macleod of Lewis.

The MacAlarys played a prominent role in history, having fought alongside famed leaders of the Clan Macleod in the Battle of Glendale in 1596. Historically, the MacAlarys of Lewis also played a key role in the fisheries of the Isle of Lewis, providing much of the seafood industry.

The MacAlary motto is 'Contra Crucem, Lux', translating to 'Light Against The Cross'. The MacAlary crest is a rampant red lion facing a sword, within a wreath of laurel, on a bright yellow background.

The MacAlary name can still be found widely throughout Scotland, and beyond. It is also a popular first name in countries like Ireland and the United States.

MacAlary: Where does the name MacAlary come from?

The last name MacAlary is of Scottish origin and is believed to have originated in Ayrshire, Scotland. Today, the name is most common in Australia, where it ranks as the 229th most common name, and the United Kingdom, where it ranks as the 986th most common name.

The name MacAlary has also spread to the United States, where it is now the 6,327th most common name. The MacAlary surname is likely spread throughout all areas of the United States, though it is most frequent in states with states like Rhode Island, Maryland, and Tennessee having the highest populations.

The name MacAlary also has a large presence in Canada, where it ranks as the 745th most common name. British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario have the largest population of MacAlarys in Canada, though the name is likely spread throughout all provinces.

In addition to these countries, the MacAlary surname may also be found in areas with large Scottish populations, such as New Zealand and Ireland. Overall, the last name MacAlary is a relatively uncommon yet widely dispersed name around the world.

Variations of the surname MacAlary

MacAlary is an Anglicized form of the surname Mac Giolla Choile, which is composed of the prefix ‘mac’ meaning ‘son of’, and the separate elements giolla and choille which mean follower and of the wood respectively.

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for MacAlary include the following: MacAlarie, MacAlorie, MacAlexander, MacAllister, Macallroney, MacCaleere, MacGillicondle, MacGilla Choil, MacGillicole, MacGillicuddy, Macilwraith, MacKelvey, MacKilroy, MacKilvie, MacLarane, McAllister, McElroy, McKeever, McKeldry, and McVey.

Other spellings of MacAlary include Mac Alaire, MacAlarye, MacAlbre, MacAlroy, MacAlrow, MacAlrory, MacAurry, MacGillichery, MacGillicomy, MacGillicurrie, MacGillicrory, MacGYlliclyle, MacKelawe, MacKelore, MacKilrea, MacKilroo, MacKilroe, MacLareen, McAlare, McKilandry, and McLarre.

The Irish surname MacGillicuddy is seen most often in the counties of Kerry, Cork, Meath, Tipperary and Loughrea, with variants like MacGilla Cudud present in Counties Cork and Limerick.

In Scotland, the MacAlary variation is most frequent in the name MacAlexander in Inverness, Nairn, Sutherland, Elgin, and Aberdeen. Other Scottish variants include McAllaster, McAllister, McElroy, and McVey.

In England, the MacAlary spelling has slowly morphed into MacAlorie over the years, and is most commonly seen in Midlands and Northern England. However, one can still find names like MacKelvey, MacKilroy, MacKilvie, and McKeever in some rural areas.

These various spellings and surnames of the same origin are as equally varied as the many people who carry them, each with unique histories and places of origin.

Famous people with the name MacAlary

• Joy MacAlary: 2020 Democratic National Convention speaker and winner of the Women of Courage Award
• Steve MacAlary: Former Australian rugby player, who was admitted into the Australian Rugby Hall of Fame in 2002
• Sarah MacAlary: Country music singer and songwriter
• Pat MacAlary: Grammy Award-winning audio engineer
• Kelsea MacAlary: Olympic swimmer and bronze medalist
• Billy MacAlary: Basketball player and former NBA MVP
• Iain MacAlary: Scottish sculptor
• David MacAlary: Award-winning Canadian musician
• Sir Piers MacAlary: Former British mayor and knight of the realm
• Raza MacAlary: Award-winning Pakistani author
• John MacAlary: Award-winning Australian architect
• Alexander MacAlary: Award-winning British engineer
• Isabella MacAlary: Award-winning American-Canadian filmmaker
• Charlotte MacAlary: Award-winning Irish scientist
• Gloria MacAlary: Canadian ice hockey player and Olympian
• Anthony MacAlary: Award-winning American entrepreneur
• Max MacAlary: Legendary Australian boxer
• Elizabeth MacAlary: Recipient of the British Red Cross 'Hero of Humanity' award
• Joseph MacAlary: Award-winning Australian historian
• Angus MacAlary: Award-winning Scottish actor

Other surnames

MacAlanMacAlarney