Surname MacGill - Meaning and Origin
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MacGill: What does the surname MacGill mean?
The surname MacGill originates from Scotland and Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac an Ghoill", which translates to "son of the stranger" or "son of the lowlander". The term ‘Ghoill’ was initially used by the Gaelic natives of Scotland to refer to the Scandinavian invaders and later to describe the Lowland Scots. It symbolizes a lineage associated with individuals who were considered foreign or alien to the common group. In Ireland, the name was frequently anglicized to ‘Gall’. The MacGill family, with a variation of spellings including McGil, MacGile, and others, held family seats in counties of Sutherland and Caithness in Scotland as well as Donegal and Mayo in Ireland. Therefore, someone with the surname MacGill likely has ancestral ties to these regions.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGill: Where does the name MacGill come from?
The last name MacGill originated from Scotland, specifically from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The Gaelic form of the name is "Mac an Ghoill," which means "son of the stranger." This could reference a family member who was of foreign origin or worked as a trader. One of the earliest detailed records of a family member, Gillespie McGill, dates back to 1174 in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland.
The name spread to Ireland during the Middle Ages along with the MacDonald clan, where it was further altered to become 'Magill'. Constant emigration due to socio-economic factors led to MacGill surname distribution across different countries.
Today, the surname MacGill is most commonly found in the United States, England, and Australia, but also retains a significant presence in its countries of origin, Scotland and Ireland. The highest concentrations of people with the MacGill surname are found in the United States, particularly in states with a strong history of Irish and Scottish immigration such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. However, the surname is relatively uncommon overall, and not amongst the most frequently occurring surnames in these countries.
Variations of the surname MacGill
The surname "MacGill" originated from the Gaelic Mac an Ghoill, meaning 'the son of the stranger' or 'lowlander', suggesting that the original bearer was a non-Gaelic speaker. Numerous variations of this name can be found, largely due to the translation between different languages and dialects over the years. Variants of MacGill include Magill, Makgill, McGil, and Maciele.
The addition of prefixes such as 'Mac' or 'Mc' (Meaning 'son of') was quite common in Gaelic surnames, so you might also see this name as simply 'Gill'. Also, keep in mind that due to inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation over centuries, the same surname may have multiple spelling versions. Thus, MacGill might also be spelled as M'gill or M’a’gill.
MacGill can also be found combined with other elements forming hyphenated or compound surnames such as MacGill-Smith or Macgill-Johnson.
Common anglicized forms of this surname are Gill and Gills. This name is also presented in the paternal lineage of surname McGill, which is commonly used in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of North America. The variant Makgill is particularly associated with Scotland.
Famous people with the name MacGill
- Patrick MacGill: An early 20th-century Irish writer, known as "The Navvy Poet" for his depiction of the working class.
- Eddie MacGill: An actress who appeared in many films in the 1930s and ‘40s, best known for "Nothing But Pleasure" (1940) and "Dinner at Eight" (1933).
- Stuart MacGill: An Australian cricketer, considered one of the best leg spin bowlers in cricket's history.
- Mary MacGill: A modern jewelry designer running her own brand Mary MacGill Jewelry.
- Carl MacGill: A former American football player who played for Detroit Lions as a defensive end.
- Moyna MacGill: An Irish-British actress, perhaps best know for being the mother of screen star Angela Lansbury and producers Edgar and Bruce Lansbury.
- Bruce MacGill: A television producer and writer known for his work on "Knight Rider" and "Capitol."
- Jillian MacGill: An American opera singer based in Luxembourg.
- Finlay MacGill: A Scottish footballer who played for Hearts in the Scottish Football League in the 1920s.
- Archibald MacGill: An Australian medical practitioner who served in the First World War.