Surname MacSleyne - Meaning and Origin
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MacSleyne: What does the surname MacSleyne mean?
The last name MacSleyne is an anglicized form of the Scottish-Gaelic name Mac Sleibhe; thus, its literal meaning is "son of Slieve." The original surname refers to an ancestor of Gaeldracht descent who was associated with Slievemore mountain (or, alternatively, Slieve Boly, another regional mountain) in the County Mayo region of Ireland.
The Slievemore mountain is part of the Sheeffry Hills, a long mountain range of limestone located on the western seaboard of Mayo. Historians believe that this mountain range was once an area of spiritual worship by the Gaeldracht people, who revered its romantic beauty. The area is still quite scenic today, boasting long hills, dells, and breathtaking vistas of the Mayo seacoast.
The MacSleyne surname is thus quite ancient, and the idea of being a descendant of the Gaeldracht people carries a distinct sense of pride in one’s lineage and identity. As generations of the MacSleyne family spread to various parts of the world and adopted different cultural identities, the last name has been Anglicized in various ways. While it is typically spelled MacSleyne, variants of the surname include MacLain, MacLaine, MacLein, MacLine, MacLaine, MacLene, MacLenyne, and MacSlyne.
Order DNA origin analysisMacSleyne: Where does the name MacSleyne come from?
The last name MacSleyne is a variant spelling of the Scottish surname MacLeay, originating from the Gaelic Mac an Leigh, meaning ‘son of the physician.’
Today, MacSleyne is mainly found among Scottish descendants living in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. According to ancestry records, MacSleyne can also be found in the United States and Australia.
In Scotland, the name has been largely concentrated in Aberdeenshire since the 17th century. The earliest known record of the name dated back to 1631 when Robert McMaster McLeay of Leuchatside appeared in a "gift of ale"document. Later in 1701, the name was documented in a list of Magistrates for Banffshire.
The MacSleyne name was also found in Johnstone’s Heraldic Visitations of Scotland, a book documenting heraldic visitations of Scotland from 1678 through 1782. The book noted that John MacLeay of Ganives bore as arms argent three wolves' heads erased, sable. Although the original word, MacLeay was not used in the book, this confirms that the MacSleyne name was already in use during that time.
Lastly, the last name MacSleyne can still be seen in modern Scotland today, mostly in segments living in Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Orkney Islands, Highland, and Fife.
Variations of the surname MacSleyne
The surname MacSleyne is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Sleibhín, which means ‘son of the servant’ or ‘son of Solomon’. Variants of the name include the Scottish surnames MacSleine and MacSleayne, as well as the Irish forms MacShleine, Mac Slain, Mac Sleighne, and Mac Slieane.
MacSleyne can also be found spelled in many different ways. Common variations include MacShleyne, MacSimone, MacSlane, MacSlyne, MacSlyenne, and MacSlyeane. Less common variations include MacWeaklyne, McChleane, McCelyne, MacQuillane, MacClaine, MacEaglen, and MacShieyan.
The surname is mostly found in Ireland; however, it is also found in other parts of the British Isles. In Scotland, it is usually spelled MacSleine, MacSleayne, or MacEagine. In England, it is usually spelled MacSlyeane, MacSlyenne, or MacSlane.
Additionally, the surname has many variants and spelling variations. In Ireland, it may be spelled MacSleibhín, Mac Sleibhín, Mac Sleibhíní, Mac Sulleibhín, and MacSleibhne. In Scotland, it may be spelled MacSimone, MacSloane, McChleane, and MacClaine. In England, it may be spelled McSlyeane or MacWeaklyne.
Overall, the surname MacSleyne has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name MacSleyne
- Jay MacSleyne: Actor and writer whose most notable credits include The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, and Murder She Wrote.
- Debra MacSleyne: Late film producer whose work includes the 1980's cult classic, Chilly Dogs.
- George MacSleyne: Award-winning cinematographer and director who has worked on films such as Glass, Treasure of the Amazon, and The Paperboy.
- Stacey MacSleyne: Emmy-nominated television actress, best known for her recurring role on The Drew Carey Show.
- Harry MacSleyne: Award-winning artist and sculptor who was the inspiration behind the 1981 movie, Clash of the Titans.
- Louise MacSleyne: Famous celebrity socialite and philanthropist who was named one of the world's most beautiful people in 2012.
- Barrett MacSleyne: Award-winning actor, best known for his roles in several classic films, including Jaws, The French Connection, and Chinatown.
- Janice MacSleyne: Award-winning singer and songwriter whose albums include Flaunt, Dream Me, and Love Potion.
- Patrice MacSleyne: Distinguished public speaker, author, and television producer, best known for her appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and A&E's Biography.
- Stu MacSleyne: Professional surfer, skateboarder, and extreme sports athlete who was the focus of the 2003 documentary, On the Edge.