Surname MacIlmurray - Meaning and Origin
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MacIlmurray: What does the surname MacIlmurray mean?
The name MacIlmurray is an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic name MacGillemhuire. It is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Gillemuire". Gillemuire is a Scottish Gaelic personal name composed of two elements, "gille" meaning "servant" and "muire", referring to the Virgin Mary.
This specific surname originated in Argyllshire, a region in the West of Scotland. It was borne by several branches of the Clan Campbell, including the MacIlmurrays of Ardmaddy and the MacIlmurrays of Poltalloch. The former were a branch of the Campbells of Loudon who first settled on some lands in 1241. The MacIlmurrays of Poltalloch trace their ancestry back to the 11th century, and acquired their lands in Argyllshire in 1607.
In terms of its etymology, the surname MacIlmurray is composed of the elements “Mac” (meaning “son of”), “Gille” (meaning “servant”), and “Muire” (referring to the Virgin Mary). Other variations of the name include MacIlmurry, MacGillemuire, and MacGillemhoire. To this day, the surname remains quite common in Argyllshire and elsewhere in Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIlmurray: Where does the name MacIlmurray come from?
The last name MacIlmurray is most commonly found today in Scotland, particularly in the region of the Highlands where the name first originated. In Scotland, the name can be found in many places including Aberdeen, Glasgow, Inverness, and Edinburgh, as well as in other areas of Great Britain such as Northern Ireland and various parts of England.
Outside Scotland, MacIlmurray is also a common surname in Ireland, particularly the Republic of Ireland. It is found in areas such as Galway, Mayo and Leitrim. The name also has a presence in countries with strong historical ties to the British Isles such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
The MacIlmurray clan is one of the oldest in Scotland and it’s believed to have roots that go back as far as the 12th century. The clan’s members are well known for being fiercely loyal to one another, encouraging their members to take up arms and defend their families against potential threats.
Today, the MacIlmurray clan continues to be strong and is actively involved in Scottish Highland Games. They are also an important part of many Scottish family trees and a reminder of centuries of Scottish history and tradition.
Variations of the surname MacIlmurray
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacIlmurray can be found in both Scottish, Irish and North American records. In Scotland, the name can also be found spelt as MacIlmurry, MacIlmurrie, or MacIlmurray.
The most frequently found form of MacIlmurray in Scotland and Ireland is the variant spelling of MacIlmurry. This form of the name is usually found in both historical and modern records and is the traditional Gaelic spelling of the name.
The name MacIlmurrie is also a common variant, as is MacAulmura. This latter spelling is often found in North American records, where immigrants often adapted their surnames upon entering the new continent.
Other spellings and variants of MacIlmurray seen in official records includes MacIlmurie, MacIlmurrie, MacElmurray, Macalmery, Macomish and McMurrah.
As with other Irish surnames, there are numerous other names of the same origin found in official records. These include MacGillmurray, MacKilmurray, MacElmurray, MacElmurriet, MacElmurrey, MacLumray, MacLamray, and others. Some of these variations may represent distinct lineage groups, or they may simply be preserved through the process of anglicization of names.
In any case, the MacIlmurray name is clearly one of the strongest in its origin, with numerous forms and variations found throughout records in both Scotland and Ireland.
Famous people with the name MacIlmurray
- Michael MacIlmurray: a Scottish actor who has appeared in a variety of television and film productions, including The Long Sword, Outlander, and Star Trek: First Contact.
- David MacIlmurray: an actor best known for his roles in the films First Kid and Superstar.
- Teresa MacIlmurray: a Scottish comedian and actress.
- Angus MacIlmurray: a Scottish playwright who has written numerous plays, including The Drunk Tank and Lucky Pull.
- Alexander MacIlmurray: a Scottish actor who has appeared in films such as The Last King of Scotland and War Horse.
- Ruth MacIlmurray: a Scottish actress and model who has appeared in various theatre productions, movies and television shows.
- Guy MacIlmurray: a Scottish actor who has been featured in various films, such as The Magdalene Sisters and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
- Rory MacIlmurray: a Scottish actor best known for his roles in the films Downton Abbey and King Kong.
- Fergus MacIlmurray: a Scottish actor who is best known for his roles in the series Highlander and The Bill.
- Cairistiona MacIlmurray: a Scottish actress and musician best known for her roles in the films Sunshine on Leith and Braveheart.