Surname McGilloway - Meaning and Origin
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McGilloway: What does the surname McGilloway mean?
McGilloway is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic language. The name is derived from the Old Gaelic MacUnithech, which translates to ‘son of the hound’. This suggests that the original ancestor was a hunter, skilled in the art of tracking animals.
The early McGills lived in the region of Dumfries and Galloway. The earliest record of the surname McGilloway dates back to the twelfth century. During this time, it is likely that McGilloway’s ancestors were vassals of the regional lord. Records of a Walter Galweit appear in various documents from 1195 onwards.
Today, the surname McGilloway is found mainly in Scotland, though many persons with the name now live in the United States, Canada and other parts of the world. It is a popular surname with many variations, such as McGlathly, MacGlachlan, MacKilroy, etc.
The surname McGilloway has a long and noble history. It is a testament to the hardiness and indomitable spirit of the Scottish people. For centuries, the McGilloways have held fast to their identity and proudly continued their ancestors' traditions and legacies.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGilloway: Where does the name McGilloway come from?
The last name McGilloway is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in the province of Ulster. Historically, the name was given to individuals from the Ulster district of Magilloway or McGillyowy. This is evidenced by the abundance of graves in Ireland with the McGilloway family crest. There are also remnants of the McGilloway surname in England and Scotland. For example, the town of McGilloway in Kent was the ancestral home of the McGilloway family during the 1600s.
Today, the McGilloway surname is still fairly common in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Antrim, Down and Monaghan. within these regions, it is still associated with the old Magilloway/McGillyowy district. Most of the McGilloways who remain in Ireland are members of mostly Catholic clans.
Elsewhere, the McGilloway surname is still found in Scotland and the United Kingdom. There is also a small Canadian presence in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and pockets of McGilloways in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Overall, the McGilloway surname is most commonly found in Ireland, and it is associated with a historical origin in the Ulster district of Magilloway/McGillyowy. In other countries, it is much less common but can sometimes be found in Irish diasporic communities.
Variations of the surname McGilloway
McGilloway is a surname that has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are MacGilloway, MacGillivray, and McGillivray.
MacGilloway is a Scottish variant of the surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Gillebhuidh, meaning "son of the servant of the prophet". MacGillivray is an Anglicised form of the same Gaelic surname, and McGillivray is a variation of MacGillivray.
Other spellings that are variants of the same origin surname include MacGilloway, MacGilloway, McGilowry, Gilvray, Gilray, Gilwray, Gilwraith, Gulraith, MacGwillieway, MakGilleoidh, and Magillwray.
Surnames that have a similar origin to McGilloway include Muckle, Muckle, Mawley, MacGill, MacGower, McGill, McGilp, McGiriand, McGirr, McGlife, and McLaren. These surnames, derived from the Gaelic Mac Gillebhuidh, have varying spellings and regional origins, so the exact connection between them and McGilloway is not known.
In conclusion, McGilloway is a surname with various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including MacGilloway, MacGillivray, and McGillivray, as well as many other spelling variations and similar surnames.
Famous people with the name McGilloway
- Sam McGilloway: Scottish footballer who currently plays for East Fife Football Club
- Damian McGilloway: Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Premiership team Carrick Rangers
- Peadar McGilloway: Irish politician who served as a Member of the Seanad from 1923 to 1925 and later represented Donegal South–West in Dáil Éireann
- Dayo McGilloway: Canadian actor, best known for his portrayal of Romeo Montague in the 2011 motion picture adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy, Romeo and Juliet
- Simon McGilloway: English pop artist and actress who first rose to prominence with her acclaimed debut album ‘The Restless Kind’
- Art McGilloway: American musician and songwriter who is best known as a founding member of the rock band The Wailing Trees
- Seamus McGilloway: Irisha poet and playwright, best known for his experimental writing style, which explored themes of family history and identity
- Peter McGilloway: Scottish actor who has appeared in numerous television shows, films, and stage productions