Surname MacElnay - Meaning and Origin
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MacElnay: What does the surname MacElnay mean?
The last name MacElnay is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic Mac Gille Eoin, which is an ancient surname from Scotland. The literal translation of Mac Gille Eoin is “son of the servant of St. John”, which suggests that the original bearer of the name was descended from a family dedicated to serving St. John the Evangelist. The name is particularly associated with the Scottish MacDonnell clan, who held large portions of land in the northern Isles of Scotland and saw the construction of numerous great castles throughout the Isles.
The name MacElnay is derived from the old Gaelic words “mac”, which means “son”, and “gille Eoin”, which means “servant of St. John”. Over time, the name has evolved to become the commonly used form of MacElnay, and is now associated primarily with Scotland and the Isles.
The name MacElnay denotes a rich culture and history, and is a testament to the strength, resilience, and character of the ancient clans of Scotland, particularly the MacDonnell and their dedication to service in the name of St. John. Today, the name MacElnay is used throughout the world by those who are proud of their Scottish ancestry and seek to honor their past by honoring their name.
Order DNA origin analysisMacElnay: Where does the name MacElnay come from?
The last name MacElnay is of Scottish origin and is mostly common today in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Canada, and parts of the United States.
In Scotland, MacElnay is derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Eoin, meaning ‘son of the servant of St. John’. In Northern Ireland, MacElnay is closely tied to the Mackelvey surname, and may have come from an Anglicized form of the Irish Mac Giolla Eoin, which translates as ‘son of the servant of St. John’. In Canada, many MacElnay’s immigrated to Canada with Scottish and Irish settlers and the name can be found mainly in urban areas such as Toronto and Montreal.
In the United States, many MacElnay's can be found in New York, Virginia, Texas, and a number of other states. However, the surname is most commonly found in the deep south, particularly in Alabama. Along the Gulf Coast, MacElnay’s settled in the 18th and 19th centuries and many were prominent landowners and businessmen in the area.
Although the last name MacElnay is not widespread, the MacElnay surname can be found all over the world. It is traceable to Scotland and is also prominent in the United States and Canada, especially in the south and urban metropolises.
Variations of the surname MacElnay
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacElnay are MacAlnay, MacElney, McElhney, MacNail, MacNeeley, MacEllany, McAlaney, McAlanney, and MacAlany.
MacElnay is an anglicized variant of the Irish or Scottish surname MacGiolla Fhionáin, which is in turn derived from the Irish or Scottish Gaelic words “Mac” meaning “son of”, “giolla” meaning “lover of,” and “Fhionáin” which is a diminutive form of “Fionn” meaning “white” or “fair.” The name then translates to “son of the fair-haired lover.”
The earliest documented use of the surname MacElnay can be found in records from the 16th century, specifically the 1538 Court of Session in Scotland. The earliest bearer of the name was likely a man named Richard McAlane, who was on record at the same Court of Session.
The surname MacElnay is found mostly in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. The variations of MacElnay are mostly found in Ireland and Scotland. There are some variations of the name such as MacAlnay, MacElney, McElhney, MacNail, MacNeeley, MacEllany, McAlaney, and McAlanney that are primarily Scottish and can be found in Scotland, the United States, and Canada.
Although it is not an exact science, it has been observed that those who bear the surname McElnay or MacElnay today tend to be of Irish or Scottish Gaelic heritage. In addition, those who bear the variations of MacElnay are generally Scottish, though there are a few in other locales.
Famous people with the name MacElnay
- Nicole Macelnay: an American actress who has starred in television shows like The Young and the Restless, Twenties, and Death Note.
- Geoffrey Macelnay: a Canadian-born film director best known for his work on hit movies like The Terminal, Runaway Jury and The Hunger Games.
- Duncan Macelnay: a British-born documentarian known for his documentaries on environmental and wildlife topics.
- Margaret Macelnay: an American singer-songwriter who has released five albums of her material.
- Joe Macelnay: an Australian sound artist and record producer who has worked on projects for artists like Flume, Flight Facilities and Lykke Li.
- Jim Macelnay: a British musician and music producer who has worked with artists like Adele, Coldplay and Kylie Minogue.
- Linda Macelnay: a Canadian-born actress best known for her roles in hit television shows like Coronation Street and Doctor Who.
- Daniel Macelnay: an American actor who has starred in hit television shows like The Vampire Diaries, House of Cards and Mad Men.
- Ryan Macelnay: a Canadian-born actor and director best known for his work on feature films like Deadpool, The Martian and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
- Terence Macelnay: a British stage actor who has appeared in numerous productions, ranging from classical works to contemporary theatre.