Surname Macildonie - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Macildonie: What does the surname Macildonie mean?
The last name Macildonie is one of the Celtic clans originating from Scotland. The name “McIldowie” is derived from the Gàidhlig language, and is also spelled Macildowie, MacCallum, and MacGillamidh. The name can also be found spelled as Macllanmey or Makgillivray.
The Macildonie name originated before the twelfth century in the Highlands of Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille-Duibhe family, who are believed to be descended from the Irish clans of Munster. The literal translation of the name means “son of the servant of God” or “son of the leader of the people”.
Clan Macildonie had their own tartan and crest. Their crest is described as a heraldic shield depicting two stars and a helmet. The stars represent the Clan’s loyalty and faith throughout history. The tartan, which is a type of patterned cloth, features a predominately black background with a red and blue diamond design. The Macildonie clan supported the Scottish wars of independence in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and fought in the Battle of Bannockburn.
Most people with the surname Macildonie can be found in Scotland, especially in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. Others can be found in Northern Ireland and the United States, mostly descended from immigrants who moved during the Highland Clearances in the nineteen hundreds.
Order DNA origin analysisMacildonie: Where does the name Macildonie come from?
The last name Macildonie is most common in Scotland, especially in the Highlands, Islands, and Central Lowlands. According to the Scotland's People website, the surname originates in the Highlanders of Macildonach or McIldownie, both of which are believed to be descended from the MacNeil of Gigha chiefs. Many of those bearing this surname can trace their lineage back to this ancient Scottish clan.
Today, Macildonie is an uncommon surname in Scotland, accounting for 0.002 percent of the population. It is mostly found in Aberdeenshire, where it is spelled in a variety of ways, from Macildonie to Macildone and Macildunie.
Outside of Scotland, the surname can also be found in the U.S., with clusters in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. It is also quite common in Canada, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia. There are also small pockets of Macildonie families in other European countries, such as Norway and Finland.
Despite being a relatively uncommon name, the Macildonie surname has a long and distinguished history. The clan can trace its lineage back to many historical figures, including the famous Highland chief Alexander Macneill, who is said to have been one of the first to adopt the name. Today, many descendants of the Macildonie clan proudly carry it as a badge of honour, honouring its legacy while forging new paths for future generations.
Variations of the surname Macildonie
The surname Macildonie is derived from the term Mac Gille Dhoine, meaning the son of the servant of John. Variations of the name can include Macildownie, Macildonald, Macildowie, Macildunie, Macildowny, Macilduany, Macildouney, and Macildowney.
This surname is also associated with different spellings and surnames of the same origin, including MacGhille Dhonnach, MacGildownie, MacGildony, MacKildonie, MacKildowney, MacGilduany, MacGeldowney, MacIldoon, MacIldownie, MacKldomhnaigh, and MacIldowney.
In some cases, the variant might be used to refer to the traditional Gaelic spelling. For example, the spelling “MacIlldhuinach” might refer to the original Gaelic spelling.
In other cases, the spelling might have changed over time due to a difference in dialects or local pronunciation. As such, spellings might be interchangeable depending on region.
The Macildonie surname may also be found in other forms such as MacIldowny, Macildouney, and Macildunie. Additionally, some families with the Macildonie surname adopted other more common surnames such as Donaldson, Macloud, and MacPhail.
In Scotland, the Macildonie surname may also be found associated with the names Gilfon and Kilfon. This is because the “Mac” prefix was eventually dropped and the name changed to Kilfon William or Gilfon Macildonie.
The Macildonie surname is still quite common today in many parts of Scotland. Some of the current holders of the name are said to be the descendants of the ancient kingdom of Dalriada, a kingdom that stretched from southwestern Scotland to northeast Ireland.
Famous people with the name Macildonie
- Hugh Macildonie: An English actor who appeared in television shows such as “Coronation Street” and “Holby City,” as well as the film “Billy Elliot.”
- Heather Macildonie: A Scottish actress who has appeared in “Escape From Planet Earth” and “Thor: The Dark World.”
- Jack Macildonie: An Australian politician and Mayor of Gosford City from 2008 to 2011.
- Rosemary Macildonie: An Australian archaeologist at the University of Sydney who specializes in the study of Mediterranean archaeology.
- Alex Macildonie: A British entrepreneur who founded the online marketing company Ginger Media Group in 2006.
- Donald Macildonie: A Glasgow-born artist who has done illustrations for publications such as The Reader’s Digest.
- John Macildonie: A British general who led military operations in Ethiopia during WW2.
- Harry Macildonie: A British children’s author best known for “Witness to the Night.”
- Arthur Macildonie: A Canadian politician from Nova Scotia who served as a Member of Parliament from 1957 to 1968.
- Mark Macildonie: A British actor who appeared in the films “Weekend Parties” and “ Effects.”