Surname MacIlmeel - Meaning and Origin
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MacIlmeel: What does the surname MacIlmeel mean?
The last name MacIlmeel is an anglicised version of the Irish surname Mac Giolla Meala, which is found mainly in North Munster and Connacht. This surname is derived from the old Gaelic term "giolla" meaning "devotee or follower" and "meala" meaning "honey". Taken together, the name roughly translates to "devotee/follower of honey" or "follower of the honey."
Traditionally, the MacIlmeel surname is associated with the province of Connacht and the modern-day counties of Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, and Leitrim, as well as portions of County Galway. However, the name can also be found in Cork, Kerry, and Limerick, especially in the border areas.
The original MacIlmeel clan was a part of the larger Uí Fiachrach clan. This family originated from the Connacht region and were located in what is now the town of Ballymote in County Sligo, where one of the oldest branches of the family is still in existence.
The MacIlmeels were a warrior clan and they were known for their bravery in battle. They were often involved in conflicts with the O’وConnor and O’Malley clans, who were their enemies in the region.
Though the MacIlmeel family has since dispersed to other locations, the surname is still widely recognized in the West of Ireland. It is an interesting reminder of the proud history of this prominent Irish surname and the family’s important place in Irish history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIlmeel: Where does the name MacIlmeel come from?
The last name MacIlmeel is most commonly found in Ireland today. According to the Irish name expert, Edward McLysaght, the last name is of Anglo-Norman origin, meaning “son of Gilmeel, a diminutive of the personal name Gilmack”. It first appeared in Ireland during the 12th century when the Anglo-Normans invaded and established their stronghold in the ancient kingdom of Meath.
The name is still found mainly in County Meath and surrounding counties, as well as in the province of Connaught. There is also a concentration of the name in Dublin and the general Leinster area.
Globally, although a small minority, MacIlmeel is a fairly common last name elsewhere, particularly among those of Irish descent and amongst those who have emigrated from Ireland. It's particularly common in the United States, with the Sutro library indicating that the surname is found especially in New York, Illinois and Massachusetts.
Today, MacIlmeel is a popular surname, even if its historical roots aren’t always known: a sample population check shows that over 3,400 individuals presently hold the surname across five countries.
Variations of the surname MacIlmeel
The MacIlmeel surname has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common and most accurate variant is MacIlmeel, although other variations may be seen as "MacIlmel", "Mac Elmeel" and "McElmeel".
Additionally, similar spellings of the name can be found, including "McIlmeel", "MacElmeel", "McElmil" and "MacMil".
Another form of the name comes from the Irish surname "MacGiollaMeal", which means "son of one who serves the church". This variant is pronounced "Mac/Gill/aw/meel" and can be found as "MacGillmeel", "MacGillmell" and "MacGillemell".
The MacIlmeel name is derived from the Gaelic words "MacGiollaMhichil" which means "son of the follower of St. Michael". This variant can be seen as "MacGillmeel" and "MacGilmeal".
Finally, the MacIlmeel surname can also be found in the form of "MacElmeels", "MacElmels" and "MacElmill".
Overall, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the MacIlmeel surname. While the most accurate form of the name is MacIlmeel, other variants as well as similar spellings and variant surnames such as MacGiollaMhichil may be encountered. No matter how it is spelled, it always derives from the same origin.
Famous people with the name MacIlmeel
- Adeila MacIlmeel: Adeila is a Scottish film and television actress who has appeared in productions such as "The Loch" and "Frankenstein Chronicles" amongst others. She is now focusing on creating her own content.
- Ted MacIlmeel: Ted is a Canadian photographer working in fashion, celebrity, and advertising. He has photographed numerous celebrities and models such as Reese Witherspoon and Gigi Hadid.
- Jay MacIlmeel: Jay is an American professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- Cal MacIlmeel: Cal is an Irish film director, writer, and producer. His debut feature film, "Stranger Things," won multiple awards and was lauded for its originality and psychological complexity.
- Fianna MacIlmeel: Fianna is a British fashion model who has appeared in notable campaigns for brands such as H&M and Gucci, and in publications such as ELLE and Vogue.
- Chirsty MacIlmeel: Chirsty is an Australian illustrator, known for her artful whimsy and use of vibrant colours. Her work has been exhibited at The National Portrait Gallery in London, the PayPal Gallery in Tokyo and other prestigious venues.
- James MacIlmeel: James is a New Zealand-born engineer, best known for being awarded the MacArthur Fellowship in 2008, for his work on developing renewable energy technologies.