Surname Macgildownie - Meaning and Origin

Macgildownie: What does the surname Macgildownie mean?

The last name Macgildownie is of Scottish origin. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Domhnaigh, which means "son of the servant of the Lord." The term "Mac," means son of, "giolla" referred to a young man or a servant, and "Domhnaigh" is linked to the word for Lord or Sunday. Thus, the surname could translate to "the son of the devoted servant of the Lord." This suggests the ancestors who bore this surname presumably held a devotion/connection to the church or maintained deep religious roots. Like many surnames, it could also indicate a geographical area or specific clan where the ancestors originated. However, this surname is quite rare and specific details about its meaning may vary or be lost over time. It is possible that different branches of the Macgildownie family may have formed their own variations and interpretations of the name. Understanding such names can provide insights into one's ancestry and connections to the past.

Macgildownie: Where does the name Macgildownie come from?

The surname Macgildownie is of Scottish origin. Particularly, it comes from the Gaelic Mac Gille Domhnaich which means "son of the servant of the Lord". This surname, like several other Scottish surnames, is a patronymic one, which means that it is derived from the given name of the father or a revered ancestor. The use of such names became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation, usually known as Poll Tax.

Although most common in Scotland due to its origin, the surname Macgildownie can be found in other countries as well due to historical migration, especially in countries where Scots have emigrated to, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, it is not a common surname today, and its prevalence varies across regions. The largest concentrations of people with the Macgildownie surname are currently found in the USA and Scotland according to recent census data. The name may also be found but less commonly in other parts of the UK, and countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where Scottish diasporas are significant.

Variations of the surname Macgildownie

Macgildownie is a Scottish surname which might have different variants and spellings. Some possible variations of this surname can include: McGildownie, MacGildowney, McGildowney, Gildownie, Gildowney, and GilDownie.

The surname 'Macgildownie' can be broken down into parts – 'Mac' is a common prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames and means 'Son of'. 'Gildownie' is a less common surname but seems to be formed with 'Gil', a common element in old Celtic names, and 'Downie', another established Scottish surname.

Therefore, it's also possible that variants of this surname could be related to either 'Gil' or 'Downie'. For 'Gil', some related surnames might include MacGill, McGill, Gilchrist, Gillespie, etc. For 'Downie', variants might include MacDownie, Downing, Downey, etc.

However, please note that the exact origins and variants of rare or unique surnames like Macgildownie can be challenging to determine with certainty, especially if specific historical documents or genealogical records aren't immediately available for reference. Family records, local historical archives, or a professional genealogist may be able to provide more accurate and comprehensive information.

Famous people with the name Macgildownie

• Alastair MacGildownie (Scottish television presenter)
• Angus MacGildownie (British politician)
• Bill MacGildownie (British wartime pilot)
• George MacGildownie (British footballer)
• Gordon MacGildownie (Scottish professional golfer)
• Iain MacGildownie (British historian and diplomat)
• Jack MacGildownie (British television producer)
• Jim MacGildownie (British Kuto champion)
• John MacGildownie (British Army officer)
• Mark MacGildownie (Scottish filmmaker)
• Molly MacGildownie (British sculptor)
• Robert Leslie MacGildownie (British poet and fisherman)
• Tom MacGildownie (Scottish musician and band leader)

Other surnames

Macgildowney