Surname MacKerley - Meaning and Origin

MacKerley: What does the surname MacKerley mean?

The last name MacKerley is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Chaisile, which roughly translates to "son of the servant of St. Casey". This is likely referring to one of the many St. Caseys who were saints in the early medieval period, particularly those who were active in Scotland and Ireland.

The surname signifies a family lineage of servitude and labor. It's believed to have first appeared in Scotland during the Middle Ages, when most surnames were associated with a particular profession or occupation. In this case, the MacKerley family was known as hereditary servants, providing labor and expertise in the service of various chieftains or noble families.

The coat of arms used by the MacKerley family is a red hand, which was often used by Scottish families of noble status to signify their power and authority. This, along with the family's clan motto, which is "en besoigne" (meaning "in the service of"), reflects the family's legacy of servitude and dedication.

Today, the MacKerley surname is still widely spread across Scotland, England, Ireland, Canada, and the U.S. It continues to be a symbol of hard work and dedication, honoring the legacy of those who came before.

MacKerley: Where does the name MacKerley come from?

The last name MacKerley is most commonly found in North America today. There are also some occurrences in England, Ireland, Scotland, and New Zealand.

Within the USA, the MacKerley surname can be found in greater numbers in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Illinois, and New Jersey. Most of these states have a number of cities with strong concentrations of the MacKerley name such as Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco.

In Canada, the last name MacKerley is much less common but can still be found scattered throughout various provinces and territories including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories.

The last name MacKerley could be of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Chaoluinn, meaning “Son of the Follower of St. Columba”. However, the name could also be of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Chearaigh, meaning “Son of the Devotee of St. Ciarán”. The variant spelling of the MacKerley surname is McKerley or McKerlie.

In summation, the last name MacKerley is most common in North America today, particularly in the USA. It could be of Scottish or Irish origin, and there are some occurrences of the MacKerley name in England, Ireland, Scotland, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname MacKerley

The surname MacKerley is derived from the Gaelic and Irish Mac Giolla Ghairbhithe. There are a variety of ways to spell the surname, including Mackerly, MacKerly, McKerly, McKerley, Mackerlie, Mackerlee, MacKerlee, and MacKerlie. Some variants of the surname may also include MacCerly, MacKarrell, and MacCarly.

The most well-known spelling of the surname is MacKerley, which evolved from the original Irish-Gaelic form of Maolchonni Ghairbhidhe. In Ireland, this name translates to a religious person or a devotee of Saint Ghairbhidhe; it literally translates to mean “son of the devotee of Ghairbhidhe”. It was common for Irish surnames to be adopted in this manner, indicating the forebearers’ professions or patron saints.

The MacKerley surname can be found in various locations around the world, including the United States, England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, and Australia. Additionally, there are also various variants of the surname that are found in other countries, such as the Spanish surname Macarly and the German surname Mackirli. The most common area for the surname is in Scotland, where it is primarily found.

Although the spelling is slightly altered for all of the variants, the origin of the surname is still the same – a patron saint devotee. All variants of MacKerley will usually be recognized as the same surname, no matter where they are found.

Famous people with the name MacKerley

• Charles MacKerley- actor, known for The Good Place and Night School
• Jake MacKerley- actor, known for The Stand and Grey's Anatomy
• Michael MacKerley- actor, known for Mission Impossible III and Transformers
• Nicky MacKerley- actor, known for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Parks and Recreation
• James MacKerley- basketball player, who played for the Detroit Pistons
• Alia MacKerley- musician and singer-songwriter
• Kelly MacKerley- actress, known for White Squall and Buffy The Vampire Slayer
• Luke MacKerley- rugby player, who played for Australia
• Kyle MacKerley- singer-songwriter
• Miles MacKerley- comedian, known for The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live

Other surnames

MacKerlich