Surname MacLewis - Meaning and Origin
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MacLewis: What does the surname MacLewis mean?
The last name MacLewis is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origin. This surname is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Gille Dhomhnaill, which translates to "son of the servant of St. Domhnall". The name can also be an Anglicization of the Irish Mac Giolla Eoin, which means "son of the devotee of John". MacLewis is an especially common surname in regions of Scotland with a strong Gaelic history, such as the Outer Hebrides, Isle of Skye, and western coastline.
The name MacLewis derives from an old Scottish clan. This clan was part of the Siol Alpin tribe, and were known to be fierce and respected warriors throughout ancient Scotland. The clan even served as bodyguards for Scotland's King David I during the 12th century.
Though the surname has a rich history, many individuals now regard it as simply meaning “son of Lewis.” This is due to the fact that Lewis is a widely popular first name in the regions mentioned above and so many families have adopted this surname.
Overall, the last name MacLewis carries a certain weight and prestige with it. It is a proud and ancient surname that, though not necessarily to do with a specific clan anymore, still symbolizes a proud and ancient heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLewis: Where does the name MacLewis come from?
The surname MacLewis is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland – both of which were historically home to many native Gaelic speakers. Given the Mac- prefix of the name, which is traditionally used in Gaelic patronymic naming, it is likely that the name would have originated in Scotland and then spread throughout the surrounding countries.
In the UK, MacLewis is especially popular in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and certainparts of England. It can also be found in significant numbers in Australia and North America, reflecting the large-scale emigration of those countries from the British Isles. The 2019 United States Census estimated that around 6,300 people in the US have the surname, while in Australia the 2016 census reported that 970 had it.
Today, the surname MacLewis may also be found in other parts of the world due to the influence of foreign names on local populations. For example, in France it has been speculated that the comparable name 'MacLier' is descended from the Gaelic-speaking settlers of the name, suggesting that there are derivations of the MacLewis surname present in the French-speaking world.
In all, it is clear that the name MacLewis is still particularly prominent in the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as becoming more frequently found in other parts of the world due to population movements from the British Isles.
Variations of the surname MacLewis
The surname MacLewis has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
MacLise: This was an anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic form of the name, MacLeòid. This spelling is still widely used in Scotland today.
MacLees: This spelling is another variant of the same origin, but is more common in Ireland and England.
MacLys: This is a Scottish variant of the surname, often found in the Shetland Islands.
MacLeeson: This spelling is a hybrid of the surnames MacLise and MacLees, and is found primarily in Scotland and Ireland.
MacLies: This variant of the surname is found mostly in Scotland and Ireland.
MacLewes: This is an anglicized form of the surname, usually found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
MacLeish: This variation of the surname is found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
MacLusk: This spelling is another variant of MacLewis, usually found in Northern Ireland.
MacLuse: This spelling is commonly found in Scotland and Ireland.
MacLuce: This is another anglicized form of the surname, found throughout Scotland and Ireland.
Many of these different variants, spellings, and surnames have different pronunciations as well, depending on the region and language in which they are spoken. All of these variations of the surname MacLewis are derived from the same Scottish Gaelic root and share a close relationship, even if they may look very different.
Famous people with the name MacLewis
- Danny MacLewis: A Canadian musician, actor, and songwriter best known for his work in films like Goon and LETTERKILL
- Miles MacLewis: A professional basketball player who currently plays for the Canton Charge of the NBA G League
- Shirley MacLaine: An Academy Award-winning actress, director, producer, and writer
- Patrick MacLewis: A retired American basketball player who played for several NBA teams during his career
- Cameron MacLewis: An actor who starred in the Nickelodeon show Every Witch Way
- Malcolm MacLewis: An American stuntman and former Mixed Martial Arts fighter
- Don MacLewis: A musician, sound engineer, and music producer
- Roy MacLewis: An actor and comedian, known for roles in The X-Files and This Is Us
- Kayla MacLewis: An actress, known for her roles in Kentucky Education and The Good Times
- Michael MacLewis: A film director and writer, best known for his work on the documentary The Music of Strangers.