Surname MacKehilly - Meaning and Origin
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MacKehilly: What does the surname MacKehilly mean?
MacKehilly is an Irish surname, derived from the Old Irish name MacEchmhaoil, meaning "son of Echmhaoil". Echmhaoil was an ancient Gaelic personal name, derived from the elements “ech” meaning "horse" or "noble steed", and “maol” meaning "bald".
The MacKehilly name also has its roots in a large and significant ancient Irish clan that was located mainly in the Southwest counties of Limerick and Cork. This clan is thought to have taken part in many significant battles, including the Battle of Clontarf, fought in 1014 between the Irish forces of the High King Brian Boru and the Viking forces from Dublin.
Historians believe that the clan’s original seat was located at Kanturk Castle in Limerick, which was besieged by the Irish forces of William of Orange in 1650 and then destroyed shortly afterwards. To this day, the ruins of Kanturk Castle remain a popular tourist destination in the area.
Today, the MacKehilly name is still carried by members of the same ancient Irish clan, many of who still live in the counties of Limerick and Cork. The name MacKehilly is a symbol of strength, resilience and determination, embodying the rich and proud heritage of the ancient Irish people that carry this name.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKehilly: Where does the name MacKehilly come from?
The last name MacKehilly is most commonly found in Northern Ireland. According to the Irish Family Name Index (IFNI), the name is believed to be of Scottish origin and is most common in the counties of Derry and Antrim. The IFNI estimates that around 1,500 individuals with the last name MacKehilly are living in Ireland today.
Outside of Ireland, MacKehilly is also found in England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in the Northeastern states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The highest concentration of MacKehilly residents can be found in the towns of Highlandtown, Maryland; Brockton, Massachusetts; and Middletown, Delaware.
MacKehilly is an uncommon last name even in these areas, but its presence is growing in part due to immigration. As more and more individuals with the last name MacKehilly move into new areas, the name's presence grows. The MacKehilly name is still rare, but its population is growing every day.
Variations of the surname MacKehilly
MacKehilly is an Irish surname of Scottish origin. There are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin including McKelvey, Mackelvey, McKeeley, McKilly, McKellie, McKillie, McKieley, MacKelvey, McKehilly and MacKehilly.
The surname was first recorded in Ireland in the late 16th century, with the spelling McKelvey, and was used by the Scots who were among the first plantation settlers in the continent of North America. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Gilmhaoil, which is a patronymic form of the personal name Gilmhaol.
The earliest recorded spelling of the family name MacKehilly is McKilvey, dated 1605, in the "Charters of the Abbey of the Holy Trinity De Athas Hugo in the County of Meath". In Scotland the variants McKelvy and MacKelvie appear in records from the 17th C.
Variations in spelling of the surname was a common occurrence over the years. Sometimes the spelling was changed, due to an individual's specific accent, or simply as a result of carelessness. A majority of sources agree that the current spelling of MacKehilly is primarily used in Ireland, while spelling variations of the surname may still be encountered in Scotland.
In conclusion, MacKehilly is an Irish surname of Scottish origin with many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including McKelvey, Mackelvey, McKeeley, McKilly, McKellie, McKillie, McKieley, MacKelvey, McKehilly and MacKehilly being the most common.
Famous people with the name MacKehilly
- Mark Mackehilly: an English photographer
- William MacKehilly: a 19th century Scottish explorer
- Shaun MacKehilly: a professional musician and composer
- James MacKehilly: a re-known Canadian neurologist
- Molly MacKehilly: an American actress
- Duffy MacKehilly: a graduate of Harvard Law School and Supreme Court litigator
- John MacKehilly: a Canadian politician and political leader
- Charlotte MacKehilly: an Olympic-medal-winning long jumper
- Tess MacKehilly: a professional dancer and choreographer
- Scott MacKehilly: a Canadian hockey player and World Championship medalist