Surname MacKilpatrick - Meaning and Origin
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MacKilpatrick: What does the surname MacKilpatrick mean?
The last name MacKilpatrick originates from Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic personal name MacGille padsridh, meaning “son of the follower of Patrick.” The name Patrick comes from the Latin patricinius, meaning “noble.” It is believed that MacKilpatrick was also an old Scottish clan’s surname.
Legend has it that the MacKilpatrick family descended from an Irish nobleman who lived in the 11th century. His name was Gillespic, and he was a warrior of the royal house of Prince Angus. He was faithful to King Malcolm III and eventually earned himself the honor of being knighted by the king.
The MacKilpatrick family grew to become a powerful force in the Scottish Highlands over the years, and many of its members held prominent positions. They held extensive lands, built fortresses, and achieved other feats of honor. During the reign of King James IV, members of the clan served as commanders in the forces of the king.
The MacKilpatricks have since spread around the world to many countries, although their origin remains in Scotland. This is likely due to their noble reputation and their rich history. Today the MacKilpatrick family is a large and influential one, and continues to leave its mark on the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKilpatrick: Where does the name MacKilpatrick come from?
The last name MacKilpatrick is common throughout the Scottish highlands, particularly in the modern day county of Argyll and Bute. It is the most popular name in the United Kingdom. The MacKilpatrick family originated in the parish of Kilmarnock, in the Scottish county of Renfrewshire. According to early written records, the family can be traced back to the 12th century.
The MacKilpatrick name is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic MacGiolla Phádraig, which translates as "son of the devotee of Patrick". Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland. This name is believed to have been common among the Irish tribes of Dalriada, who settled in the west of Scotland in the 4th century AD.
Today, the MacKilpatrick name is particularly common in the United States. The American census of 1850 recorded more than 9,000 individuals with this surname. In the modern day, it is now one of the most popular surnames in the United States. This is likely due to the influx of Scottish immigration during the colonization of America, and the strong presence of Scottish and Irish settlers in the United States since the eighteenth century.
The MacKilpatrick name has been associated with a number of famous figures, including Vice Admiral Lord David Beatty of the British Royal Navy and Crimean War ship designer William Froude.
Variations of the surname MacKilpatrick
The surname MacKilpatrick is a variant of the many spellings and surnames with the same origin. It is a Scottish surname derived from two Gaelic words - Mac Giolla Phádraig, literally meaning 'son of the follower of Patrick.' Other variants and related surnames include MacGilpatric, MacIlpatrick, MacElpatric, Mackilprat, Mackelpate, and MacKulpatrick.
MacKilpatrick is an anglicisation of the Gaelic, and Macgiollaphìaric is the oldest recorded surname form of the name in Scotland. The Clan MacKilpatrick is a Scottish clan that originates from the district of Galloway in South West Scotland and it is believed to descend from early Norse settlers in the region.
Variants of MacKilpatrick that originated in England include Gilpatrick, Kilpatrick, and Kelpatrick. These variations developed particularly in the East Midlands of England. The name also appears as Kilpatric, Kilpatrick, and Kilpatrik in Northern Ireland.
The Irish surname MacKilpatrick appears to have originated among the Celts in County Wicklow, migrating south to County Waterford, and finally to County Antrim. It is generally thought that the Walsh family was responsible for this migration.
Throughout the world, variants of MacKilpatrick are also found, such as Kilpatric, Gilpatrick, and Girvin. Some of these spellings are found in Australia as well as in areas settled by the Scottish diaspora in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Orange Free State in South Africa.
Famous people with the name MacKilpatrick
- Jesynanthony MacKilpatrick, musician and singer-songwriter
- Nate MacKilpatrick, Australian rules footballer
- Douglas MacKilpatrick, British comedian
- Bill MacKilpatrick, American football player
- Alex MacKilpatrick, Scottish footballer
- Hayden MacKilpatrick, Australian rules footballer
- James MacKilpatrick, Australian rules footballer
- Rod MacKilpatrick, Canadian ice hockey player
- Matthew MacKilpatrick, Scots actor
- Doug MacKilpatrick, American professional baseball player
- John MacKilpatrick, retired Scottish professional footballer
- Kenneth MacKilpatrick, the managing director of MacKilpatrick & Co. Ltd.
- Alastair MacKilpatrick, CEO of Subsea 7
- Cameron MacKilpatrick, American actor
- Thomas M. MacKilpatrick, United States Army Medal of Honor recipient