Surname MacElvaney - Meaning and Origin
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MacElvaney: What does the surname MacElvaney mean?
The last name MacElvaney is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Fhionáin meaning “son of the devotee of St. Finán”. The surname was likely borne by families who lived in an area either where Saint Finán had a presence or in an area settled by a family that was devoted to him.
Saint Finán was an Irish missionary of the 6th century (born circa 500) who is associated with a number of monastic foundations in Munster, Ireland. He is believed to have been the bishop of Clogher and died circa 575. He is attributed with founding a number of churches in the area, including Kill-Finan and Monaincha.
The name MacElvaney has been found as a surname in many areas of Ireland, including Connacht and most of Munster. It can also be found in parts of Scotland and even London. It’s a common name particularly in County Clare and has a fairly large number of bearers in Donegal and Kilkenny.
The surname is associated with a monastic devotee and is indicative of families who have a strong root in monastic Ireland. As such, the name MacElvaney can be seen as a mark of a strong connection to a proud spiritual and cultural history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacElvaney: Where does the name MacElvaney come from?
The last name MacElvaney is most commonly encountered in the Isle of Skye and surrounding Highland regions of Scotland. A particularly strong concentration occurs in the west coast town of Mallaig, where the surname has been present since the mid-18th century. This is likely due to the fact that the area has traditionally been a hub for fishing and seafaring.
Since then, the MacElvaney surname has dispersed to other parts of Scotland, with high concentrations remaining in the greater Highland, Monmouthshire, and Belfast regions. It is also commonly found in parts of Ireland and in England, primarily within Cheshire and Lancashire, where some notable branches of the family originated. There are also small populations of people with the MacElvaney name in Australia, the United States, and Canada, due in large part to Scottish and Irish immigration.
Variations of the surname MacElvaney
The surname MacElvaney is derived from the Gaelic form Mac Giolla Mhichíl, which means “son of the devotee of St. Michael”. The variations of MacElvaney include McElvaney, MacIlveen, McElveen, McElveny, MacGillivray, MacGilleivrae, and MacEllvany to name a few.
In Irish history, MacElvaney was an ancient clan found in the baronies of Forth and Bargy in County Wexford, Leinster, Ireland and had branches in counties Meath and Dublin. Members of this clan trace their origins to the legend of Milesius, a mythical Spanish prince who invaded Ireland in the 2nd century BC.
The spelling variants of the surname usually correspond to the region in which the family originated, for example, MacElvaney is more commonly found in the north of Ireland while McElveny is more popular in the south. Irish families of this same origin usually share other common surnames such as Corrigall, Mullaly, and Loftus.
The spelling of the surname is often dependent on when members of the family immigrated to other parts of the world. For example, in North America, MacElvaney can be found spelled McElvaney, MacIlveen, McElveen, and McElveny. In Scotland, the name may be spelled as MacGillivray, MacGilleivrae, and MacEllvany.
The branches of the clan MacElvaney are dispersed throughout the world but still maintain their roots and connection to their Irish ancestors.
Famous people with the name MacElvaney
- Thomas MacElvaney: Thomas MacElvaney is a British artist and illustrator. He is best known for his paintings of landscapes and urban scenes in the United Kingdom and the Mediterranean. He has exhibited in numerous galleries in the UK and abroad.
- Renée MacElvaney: Renée MacElvaney is a choreographer, dance lecturer and former circus performer. She is a world-renowned champion of creative and educational arts. Renée has been a juror for the Prix de Lausanne and a jury member for the New York Choreography Grants Program.
- Antea MacElvaney: Antea MacElvaney is an actor living in Los Angeles, California. She has appeared in numerous television, film, and theatre productions, including the movie The House on Elm Street and the television series Supernatural.
- Alice MacElvaney: Alice MacElvaney is a Scottish singer and songwriter, most notable for her contemporary folk-style music and recordings. She has performed on various music genres and is now focusing on recording her own songs.
- Richard MacElvaney: Richard MacElvaney is an Australian actor and director who has been involved in the film and television industry for over 30 years. He has appeared in numerous films, television shows, radio plays and theatre productions.
- Justin MacElvaney: Justin MacElvaney is an American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour, Asian Tour, and Web.com Tour. He won the 2007 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on the PGA Tour.