Surname MacErvell - Meaning and Origin
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MacErvell: What does the surname MacErvell mean?
The last name MacErvell is of Scottish origin, and was a popular name in Scotland since at least the 1600s. It is believed to be derived from an early surname MacYrwell, which is thought to be a combination of the Gaelic personal name mhaol, meaning "noble", and the Old Norse term yrvallah, which translates to "riverbank of the Salmon".
Over time, the surname changed to MacErvell, with the Gaelic form of mac being used as a prefix. This prefix later evolved to M'Ervell, which is still common in Scotland today. The name is most frequently found in the western Highlands and in the Islands, with it being particularly common along the northwest coast.
The name MacErvell is usually associated with a strong sense of pride and loyalty. Throughout its long history, the name has been given to individuals possessing a strong sense of character and honour. The name is a proud symbol of Scotland's noble past and serves to honour those who represent their Scottish roots.
Order DNA origin analysisMacErvell: Where does the name MacErvell come from?
The last name MacErvell is most commonly found in Australia and New Zealand today. This is likely derived from the original MacErvell family, who were a prominent Gaelic-speaking family from Scotland during the 16th and 17th centuries.
MacErvell is an Anglicized version of the Old Irish name Mac Giolla Iosa, meaning 'son of Iosa'. Iosa itself is derived from the Hebrew name Joseph, meaning 'he shall add'. In the 16th century, John O'Hart's ' Irish Pedigrees' listed a MacErvell family living in Inniskillen in Ireland's northern Fermanagh County.
The MacErvells arrived in Australia in the early 1800s as part of the larger wave of Scottish immigrants. Despite the fact that they had arrived from a variety of countries, they had retained their Gaelic last name. They settled primarily in Sydney and Newcastle, and soon began to spread across the continent, establishing communities in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
Today, the MacErvell name appears prominently in both the birth records and the phone books of New Zealand and Australia. Many members of the family have gone on to achieve distinction in the military, academia, law and business.
Variations of the surname MacErvell
MacErvell is a surname of Scottish origin. Variants of the name include MacErvin, MacErville, MacErvine, MacIrvin, MacIrvine, MacKervin, Mackerfield, and MacIervill.
Alternative spellings of MacErvell include MacErveel, MacErveill, MacErvel, MacErveall, MacErvelll, MacIrveel, MacIervall, MacIrveall, MacIrvell, MacKerveill, MacKervell, MacKervill, Mackerfeild, and Mackerfield.
MacErvell is derived from the pre-1000 A.D. Gaelic name Mac Gille Mhoire, which literally translates to “Son of the Servant of Mary”. This surname evolved in different forms depending on the locality and dialect of the time. Over time, the descriptive Gaelic term Mac changed to MacK and then to Mc, while Gill(e) morphed into various combinations of Ó, A, and Ua. Variations on MacErvell are examples of these changes.
The MacErvells are characterized as a strong, proud, and enterprising clan, who left Scotland and eventually settled in Northern Ireland and Canada. Those who stayed in Scotland were mostly found in the cities of Perth and Aberdeen, as well as in the remote Highlands. Additionally, there are others who carry the MacErvell name in England, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
In conclusion, MacErvell is a name of Scottish origin which has taken many forms and spellings. It remains a strong and proud name, whether it is written MacErveel, MacIrvin, or Mackerfield.
Famous people with the name MacErvell
- Hedy MacErvell: a Canadian-American actress who attained early fame for her work in European films before migrating to Hollywood.
- Dave MacErvell: an American sportscaster who was broadcasting sports games for over 40 years on multiple networks.
- Paul MacErvell: a Canadian producer and screenwriter of several award-winning films including 'Life of Pi' and 'Arrival'.
- Pat MacErvell: an American Olympic bronze medalist in the 1960s in the sport of rowing.
- Carole MacErvell: an Canadian opera singer who has performed with opera companies around the world.
- Ty MacErvell: a Canadian songwriter and record producer who has worked with popular musicians such as Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande.
- Leigh MacErvell: an Australian-born actor and director who has appeared in films such as 'The Matrix' and 'The Thin Red Line'.
- John MacErvell: an American songwriter and composer, best known for his work on various Disney movies and TV shows.
- Mel MacErvell: a British actress who has starred in several films and television series, including 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'.
- William MacErvell: an Irish barrister who was appointed Senior Counsel in 1916 and was one of the leading legal figures in the country at the time.