Surname McElree - Meaning and Origin
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McElree: What does the surname McElree mean?
The surname McElree is a variant of the Irish Mac Giolla Riabhaigh or MacElroy. This surname was common in County Donegal, Ireland in the early nineteenth century. Specifically, it is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name meaning 'son of the follower of (St.) Reavy'. The Gaelic root of the surname, Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, literally translates as 'son of the devotee of (St.) Riabhaigh'.
The ancient Irish practiced clan-based surnames, whereby the name was derived from a particular clan. In the case of McElree, the clan was known as the Kilduff Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, or MacElroy clan, who inhabited the townlands of Clontimer, parsontwill and oulymore in the parish of Cloncha in Donegal. Records show that the Kilduff Mac Giolla Riabhaighs were a powerful clan in the 16th century and were supporters of the O’Neill dynasty, the ruling family in Ireland for nearly four hundred years.
In the 1800s, the McElerree family immigrated to the United States, settling in the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania. They quickly assimilated into the larger population and their original clan name was lost with subsequent generations.
Today, the McElree clan is thought to be fairly common in Anglo-American countries, though it is still concentrated in Pennsylvania. Its original Gaelic meaning is still remembered, a reminder of how much our surnames can tell us about our families' unique history.
Order DNA origin analysisMcElree: Where does the name McElree come from?
The last name McElree is usually associated with Scotland and Northern Ireland, and it is most commonly found in these regions today. The name is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, meaning ‘son of the devotee of Saint Riabhaigh’. The earliest recorded use of the name was as far back as the 12th century.
In Scotland, the name McElree is most commonly found in the counties of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. The surname has spread to all corners of Scotland, although it's traditional homeland is the Border counties of Dumfriesshire and Roxburghshire.
In Northern Ireland, McElree is found mainly in counties Antrim, Down and Tyrone. As with Scotland, the name has also spread to other parts of the country.
In terms of international distribution, McElree is most commonly found in the United States. The name originated in the Scots-Irish communities that were establish as far back as the seventeenth century in Appalachia, and from there it spread across the US. As such, it is likely to be found throughout the US today.
In addition to Scotland and the US, McElree is also believed to have established in Canada, England, Australia and New Zealand due to waves of migration over the centuries.
Overall, the last name McElree is most commonly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but is also widespread in the US, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname McElree
The surname McElree is of Scots-Irish origin and can appear in different variants, spellings, and surnames depending on the region and the time period in which it was used.
Variant spellings include MacElree, McElray, McElroy, McEllery, McElroy, McEllory, MacEllory, and MacElray. These variants can sometimes be found with double-barrelled surnames like McElroy-MacDonald, where the last name includes two family names, or hyphenated surnames like McElree-MacDonnell.
The most common form of the surname McElree is McElroy. It is derived from a patronymic form of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, or "son of the devotee of Saint Ria". It is particularly common among families of Scottish descent in Northern Ireland.
Surnames related to McElree include McIlroy, McLarne, McCallum, and McKerrell. These all derive from the same Gaelic root Mac Giolla Riabhaigh and share the same meaning as the McElree surname.
The spelling of McElree has also evolved over time. It sometimes appears as Melray, Melroe, and Mulroe. While the spelling and pronunciation of the surname may have changed, the overall meaning has remained the same.
For the most part, the variants, spelling and surnames related to McElree can all be traced back to the same Scots-Irish origin, with subtle variations in spelling over time.
Famous people with the name McElree
- Shawn McElree: American actor, producer, and musician, best known for roles on Vine, Entourage, and The CW's Jane The Virgin.
- Patrick McElree: Hollywood actor, writer and producer. He has had roles on a variety of television shows, such as Freedom, Parenthood, and Criminal Minds.
- Matt McElree: American television and film actor, best known for his role as "Bartender" on the series The Flash.
- Rich McElree: American actor and producer best known for his roles on NBC’s Community and the AMC series Mad Men.
- Alice McElree: American actress known for her roles in Once Upon A Time, Lie to Me, and The Mentalist.
- Colin McElree: British actor and singer, best known for his roles in the film The Theory of Everything, and BBC television show Sherlock.
- Don McElree: American actor and voice actor best known for his roles in films such as Reservoir Dogs, Crimson Tide and Batman Forever.
- Vincent McElree: British actor and writer, best known for his roles in British television shows such as The Fades, Julius Caesar and Misfits.
- Bruce McElree: American actor, best known for his roles in film and television, including roles on JAG, The Devil Wears Prada, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
- Marjorie McElree: American actress and producer, best known for her role in the television series House.