Surname MacKell - Meaning and Origin
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MacKell: What does the surname MacKell mean?
The last name MacKell originated in Scotland, and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Gille, which translates to “son of a servant of (St) Gill”. The name Gill was derived from the Latin word “gilles”, which means “servant”.
The surname MacKell is most commonly associated with Scotland's Highland clans, as well as with the ancient kingdom of Dalriada. The clan itself is said to have descended from the High King of Scotland, who died in the fifth century.
The MacKell clan is thought to have been a member of the larger Highland Clan MacNeil, which was one of many clans who made up the Kingdom of Dalriada. It is believed that the MacKells originally lived among the clans of Strathclyde, where they were known as the sons of a soldier and a blacksmith.
The MacKells were part of the forces of Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence, and were involved in some of the major battles of the time, including the famous Battle of Bannockburn.
Throughout history, the MacKells have been associated with the noble and hospitable characteristics of Scotland. They are a proud and resourceful people, and their name has come to be synonymous with strength, courage, and loyalty.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKell: Where does the name MacKell come from?
The last name MacKell is most prominently found today in Scotland, with a significant proportion of related individuals having their roots in the Outer Hebrides and the Islands of the Inner Hebrides. The name is still used across Scotland, although there are some other countries where a handful of people share this last name. It is also occasionally found in Ireland, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Scotland, the spelling of the name can vary somewhat from Mackell to MacKell, and variations can also be found in other countries. It is believed that the name originated from the Old Glasgow dialect of Scots Gaelic, and was derived from the phrase “mac an gheall,” which translates to “son of the stranger.”
Much of the historical detail about the name MacKell has been lost over time, but it’s said that the associated clan has its roots in the region of Argyll in North Scotland, and were originally a part of the Skye and Hebridean sea clans. Evidence suggests that as a group, MacKell clan members were prominent farmers in Scotland, and they are now spread out across the world.
Variations of the surname MacKell
The surname MacKell is derived from a Scottish and Irish Gaelic patronymic name. The original Gaelic form of the name is Mac Ceallaigh, which means “son of Ceallach”. The surname is an ancient one, found especially in certain areas of Scotland such as Inverness and Fife, as well as Ireland. It is also an anglicized form of other Gaelic surnames such as Mac an Cheallaigh, MacCeallain, Macaille, MacCaollain, and MacCeall.
Variants of the name MacKell are McKel, McKell, and McKellin, while alternative spellings include MacKale, MacKall, MacKelle, and McKale. Other variations are M’kell, Mackell, Mackelland, Makale, Makell, Makkal, and Makkell.
The name has also been adopted into a number of other spelled-out names and surnames. These include Mckelvey, McKelleher, Mckeller, McKelvey, McKelvie, McKelvey, and McKelvie. There are also related surnames such as McKellan, McKelvey, and McKillop, which have similar origins but are distinct from the MacKell surname.
The MacKell surname is also sometimes found with variations in spelling and pronunciation, such as Mackellar, MacKellar, Mackellin, MacKellin, and Mackill. Additionally, the name is sometimes found in its Irish Gaelic form, Mac Ceallaigh.
The name is especially common in Scotland, where there are many variants and spellings, as well as in countries that have received Scottish immigrants, such as Canada and the United States of America.
Famous people with the name MacKell
- Simon MacKell: Scottish actor who is best known for his roles on Doctor Who and Outlander
- Jeni Mackenzie MacKell: British choreographer and dancer
- Benedict MacKell: Scottish actor, best known for his roles in the TV series Shetland and the film Starred Up
- Beany MacKell: British children's TV presenter, best known for her role on CBBC
- Martin MacKell: British producer, sound editor, and music engineer
- John MacKell: Actor, best known for his roles in Outlander and Death in Paradise
- Stephen MacKell: Musician, songwriter, and singer/songwriter
- Harry MacKell: Former professional Scottish footballer
- Richard MacKell: English film and television actor
- Tallulah MacKell: Scottish film and television actress and producer