Surname MacKellan - Meaning and Origin
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MacKellan: What does the surname MacKellan mean?
The last name MacKellan is of Scottish-Gaelic origin and is derived from the Gaelic MacFhilíona, meaning "son of the follower of St. Fillan”. St. Fillan was a venerated saint who lived in Scotland in the 7th or 8th centuries. He was renowned for his dedication to spreading Christianity to the rest of Scotland as he traveled around preaching and leading religious services.
The MacKellan name therefore reflects a great amount of religious history and a strong sense of Celtic heritage. The name is mostly seen in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, as well as parts of Ireland and Northern England. It is thought that the last name originates from the ancient clan of the same name which descended from the ancient Gaelic kingdom of Dal Riata.
The MacKellan name is a reminder of Scotland's religious and cultural past and is a powerful and significant last name for someone with Scottish ancestry. Those who are related to the MacKellans are said to be proud of their heritage and often wear the name with pride. It is a reminder of how one's roots influence and shape his or her identity.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKellan: Where does the name MacKellan come from?
The surname MacKellan is most commonly found in areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland. According to the UK census, there are more than 2300 individuals registered with the MacKellan surname in Scotland and Northern Ireland today.
The MacKellan surname is believed to originate from the Clan MacKellan in Scotland. This clan is believed to have its origins in the Western Isles. Originally the clan was called Gillamkeill, with the earliest records of inhabitants of this clan found in the mid-14th century. Evidence suggests that the Clan MacKellan was one of the first clans to provide ships to the ill-fated Jacobite Rising of 1745.
The surname MacKellan is still prevalent today in the form of clans and family names. In Scotland the surname is still a prominent clan in the region of Argyll, where many of the clan’s original members still reside. In Northern Ireland, the surname is common in places such as Belfast, Derry and Omagh.
In the United States, the surname MacKellan is fairly common, particularly among those of Scottish-Irish descent. The name is thought to have originated in North America with the many Scottish immigrants who arrived in the 18th century. According to the US Census data, there are several thousand individuals with the surname MacKellan living in America today.
Thus, the surname MacKellan is still a common one in many parts of the British Isles and North America today. Those with the surname share strong ties with the historic Clan MacKellan, whose members and ancestors continue to live in many areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the United States.
Variations of the surname MacKellan
The surname MacKellan is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Mac ‘ille Ghallain, which roughly translates to ‘son of the servant of Gallan’. The root name Gallan is derived from a Gaelic personal name derived from the word gal, which means “valor.” Common variants of MacKellan include the spelling McKellan, as well as MacKellen, McClellan, McKellen, McClelland and McClelland. Surnames derived from MacKellan include Kellan, Kelleen, Kelland, Kellard, Kellerman, Kellyeman, Kelleher, Kelling, Kelleghan, Kelliher, Kellems, Kellenberger and Kellermann.
In Scotland, the MacKellan Clan populated a number of regions in the highlands, including the Western Isles and Argyllshire. The spelling variations derived from the surname MacKellan became widely-distributed by Irish emigration during the 19th century in particular, and many of the original members of the clan were descended from the Uí Néill empire.
MacKellan was first recorded in Clann Uain of the Cineál Eoghain in 1222 AD. Historically, the MacKellan family would have been part of the Earls of Antrim’s sworn wardens, enforcing the law on the northern part of Antrim until 1607, when the clan were forced to cross the sea to Argyll. Following this Hai of the Clan MacKellan of Skye was founded in the 1600’s, where the original MacKellan family would have resided in the Isle of Skye, or Isla de Skye, which is still part of The United Kingdom today.
Famous people with the name MacKellan
- Ewan MacKellan: Scottish Actor and Producer best known for his roles as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars franchise and the title role in the hit musical Moulin Rouge!
- Louise MacKellan: Scottish Actress best known for her roles in films such as L.A. Story, Angels in the Outfield, and the television series Dawson's Creek.
- Patrick MacKellan: Scottish Actor most well known for his lead role in the television series Highlander: The Series.
- Bruce MacKellan: British Actor most known for his latest role as Colonel Sir Martin Mosby in the television series Jamestown.
- Robert MacKellan: Scottish Actor and Singer best known for his role in The Queen.
- Penelope MacKellan: British Actress most known for her roles in 2002's Two Weeks Notice and 2004's Vanity Fair.
- Angus MacKellan: Scottish Film Producer, who has produced multiple films and television shows, including the BBC's crime drama series Shetland.
- Calum MacKellan: Scottish Actor best known for his roles as Jeremy Thorson in the BBC drama series Banished and Sam White in the BBC Three drama series Clique.
- Rachel MacKellan: British Actress who starred in the British comedy drama series The State of Us.
- Rory MacKellan: Scottish Actor most known for his role as Dylan Hughes in the BBC One drama series Doctors.