Surname MacEvilly - Meaning and Origin
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MacEvilly: What does the surname MacEvilly mean?
The last name MacEvilly is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. In Irish, the name MacEvilly means “son of Aibhilin” or “son of Aibhlinn”. The prefix 'Mac' meaning 'son of' was used quite often in Irish surnames and was a popular naming convention in ancient times to identify people with the same first name.
The root of the name MacEvilly comes from the ancient Gaeilge language which can be translated as “een-weel-in” or “a very cheerful one”. This was potentially given to an individual as an accolade or sign of respect for having a jovial and cheerful disposition and could certainly account for an individual having the nicknamed “a very cheerful one” or MacEvilly, as the surname.
The MacEvilly surname has been found throughout Ireland with the County Mayo having the greatest concentration of populations carrying the name. Within Mayo, it is claimed that the surname originates from the barony of Tirawley and is generally associated with that general area and specific locations such as Balla and Ballycastle.
Today there is a village in Mayo called Brinlack which is located close to the ancient homesteads of the MacEvilly Clann. This settlement is claimed to be one of the earliest homesteads of the MacEvilly Clann.
The MacEvilly name is steeped in history and is one that holds a great significance to those who bear the name today. It is an Irish surname that contains a special meaning and has been passed down through the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEvilly: Where does the name MacEvilly come from?
The last name MacEvilly is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in the Connacht province. The name is a derivation of the Irish-Gaelic surname Mac an Mhadaidh, meaning "son of the hound".
In the mid-1800s, many Irish emigrants took the surname with them during their travels to other parts of the world, primarily the United States and Canada. In the US, MacEvilly is found largely in Pennsylvania.
The surname is also somewhat common in parts of Australia, especially in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. It is also quite common in Southeast Asia, particularly India, where people of Irish descent settled after the Great Famine of the mid-1800s.
In Ireland, the two most common places to find the name today are in the counties of Galway and Mayo. This is likely because part of the ancient Irish kingdom of Uí Maine or “Hy Many” was located in the two aforementioned counties. The town of MacEvilly in Galway is also probably named after the original bearers of the surname.
In general, the surname is still quite common in areas of the world where Irish emigrants settled during the 19th century, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and India.
Variations of the surname MacEvilly
MacEvilly is an Irish surname of ancient lineage. The most common variant of the name in Irish is Mac Aodha Bhuí or Mac Eoghain Bhuí, which translates as "son of yellow Hugh/Eoin". The Clan MacEvilly originated in County Galway.
The most common variant of the surname MacEvilly is MacEvilly. Other variants include MacAuley, MacAuliffe, MacAvally, MacEvay, MacEbeilly, MacAvail, MacEvie and MacAvee.
Alternate spellings of the surname MacEvilly could include Mac Aveillye, MacAvilly, McAvilly, MacEwilley, MacYvilley, MacEwely, MacEFelley, and MacEigalley.
Other surnames of the same origin as MacEvilly include MacCeallaigh, MacAodha, MacÍomhair, MacBrehon, MacGinty, and MacFirbis.
Famous people with the name MacEvilly
- Thomas MacEvilly: Thomas MacEvilly was an Irish historian and author best known for his book, The Ancient and Present State of the County of Mayo (1790).
- Thomas MacEvilly: Thomas MacEvilly was a 19th century Irish Roman Catholic bishop and Archbishop-elect of Tuam.
- James MacEvilly: James MacEvilly was a 19th century Irish Catholic bishop. He was the Bishop of Clonfert from 1822 until his death in 1837.
- William MacEvilly: William MacEvilly was a 19th century Irish politician. He was a Member of Parliament for County Mayo from 1798 until his death in 1820.
- Mary MacEvilly: Mary MacEvilly was an Irish poet whose collections included The Brownie of Ballycasheen (1845), Legends of Our Lady (1852), and The Birth, Life and Passion of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (1859).
- Patrick MacEvilly: Patrick MacEvilly was a 19th century Irish author best known for his novel, The Bravest of the Brave (1848).
- Edward MacEvilly: Edward MacEvilly was an Irish teacher and politician. He was a Member of Parliament for Mayo from 1885 to 1886.
- Ann MacEvilly: Ann MacEvilly was an Irish photographer who was active in the late 19th century. She had her own studio in Dublin and is best known for her images of architecture.