Surname MacAtilla - Meaning and Origin
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MacAtilla: What does the surname MacAtilla mean?
The last name MacAtilla is thought to be of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Atail, which translates to "son of the old" or "son of the head of the family". Historically, this was a surname typically associated with leaders or members of the upper class in Irish culture.
The Mac surname in Gaelic denotes a descent from a particular family, likely an important one. This is in contrast to the O' surname, which denotes a descent from a particular grandfather. The Atail is a derivation of the Gaelic, and is more likely an adoption from Old Norse, in which it means "father or ancestor".
As such, the last name MacAtilla likely denotes someone who belongs to an important family, or to a family with great lineage and proud tradition. In some instances, it may imply a royal heritage as well. This might be supported by the fact that it is sometimes recorded as Magill or MacGill, which descend from Mac Giolla, meaning "son of the servant of Jesus".
As a result, the last name MacAtilla is likely associated with an important or influential family. It may also suggest a royal heritage and denote its bearer as one who is proud of his family's past and is dedicated to carrying on its traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAtilla: Where does the name MacAtilla come from?
The last name MacAtilla is quite rare overall, but it is commonly found in several countries today.
In Ireland, the last name MacAtilla is most commonly found in County Wicklow and was also found historically in other Irish counties including Sligo, Mayo, Cork and Donegal. The majority of MacAtilla families in Ireland are believed to be descended from the Ó Beothagáin sept of County Wicklow, descended from the O'Toole Clan.
In Scotland, the MacAtilla surname—also spelled McKaytilla—is also found and is most commonly seen in the Angus area of Scotland. The origin of this name in Scotland is believed to be derived from a Norse-Gaelic name, originating from 'son of the powerful one' which was eventually anglicized to McKay.
In the United States, there are scattered occurrences of the last name MacAtilla. This is likely due to the fact that immigrants from Ireland, Scotland and other places brought the last name to the U.S. over time.
Overall, the MacAtilla last name is not particularly common today but it is found in varying degrees in Ireland, Scotland and the United States. To this day, the name continues to have Irish and Scottish origins and is believed to be derived from the phrase 'son of the powerful one'.
Variations of the surname MacAtilla
The variants and spellings for the surname MacAtilla are MacAtill, MacAttill, MacAtill, and MacCattill. The surname MacAtilla is of Scottish origin and is derived from the personal name Adam, growing in popularity in the 12th and 13th centuries in Britain. As with other patronymic surnames, there were variations that sprouted up over the centuries.
The most common surname spellings are MacAtill/MacAtilla and MacCattill/MacCattilla. The variation MacAttill is a diminutive of Adam and usually found in areas that were heavily populated by Norse and Danish settlers.
The origin of the name can help trace its variants located in different regions. For instance, a person by the name of MacAtilla in Scotland could have the surname spelled different in areas where Gaelic is the primary language, such as MacCattilla. Similarly, in areas where Norse or Danish settlers plied their trade, such as Ireland, MacAttill/MacAttilla would be more prevalent.
The surname MacAtilla has endured for centuries and is found in many parts of the world today. Other related surnames are MacTavish, MacAdam, MacTaggart, and MacCawley. These names are all derived from the same origin, stemming from the personal name Adam.
Famous people with the name MacAtilla
- Alice MacAtilla: actress, known for roles in "The Cheeky One" and "The New Girl Next Door"
- Lui MacAtilla: musician, founder of the punk band "The London Somethings"
- Kenneth MacAtilla: professional golfer, winner of the 2020 Scottish Open
- Richard MacAtilla: renowned chef, photographer and author of two cookbooks
- Jimmy MacAtilla: NBA basketball player, currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers
- Carrie MacAtilla: country-pop singer, winner of four Grammy Awards
- Kasey MacAtilla: model, signed with the Ford Modeling Agency
- Jaxon MacAtilla: hip-hop artist, signed to Epic Records
- Emma MacAtilla: Broadway dancer and choreographer, appeared in several Broadway shows
- Dexter MacAtilla: Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker