Surname McIlhagger - Meaning and Origin
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McIlhagger: What does the surname McIlhagger mean?
The last name McIlhagger is an old Scottish name derived from the Gaelic MacGiolla-Haicear. The name translates to the Son of the Devotee of the Horseman, and is believed to refer to a man knowledgeable in the breeding and riding of horses. It is thought that the family members bearing this name were horseman of some standing, possibly professional, or they had a great knowledge of horses in general.
The McIlhagger name is found mainly in the lowlands of Scotland around Ayrshire. Records of the surname date back to 1620, when Gilbert McCilhagger purchased land in Symington, and to 1682, when John McIlhagger of the Symington parish appears in records. The name McIlhagger may indicate a particular area of origin or even a shared ancestor, However these records are too old for any definite connections to be made.
Although the McIlhagger name is not particularly common, those who bear it are proud of their Scottish roots. They are quick to point out their ancient Scottish heritage and their close connections to the horseman caste that undoubtedly had close links to the Bruce and defining Scottish leaders. McIlhaggers may be especially proud of their Scottish heritage but they are also part of an even wider family with their shared name and connection to the ancient and proud Scottish movement of horseman.
Order DNA origin analysisMcIlhagger: Where does the name McIlhagger come from?
The last name McIlhagger is not particularly common today. Records show that McIlhagger is mainly found in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and parts of England. The majority of the family bearing this name live in Northern Ireland, mainly in County Tyrone and Belfast. The number of people bearing the name McIlhagger is quite small; the 2001 census of the United Kingdom listing only 129 individuals with this surname.
This family name is considered to be of Scottish and Irish origin. The surname McIlhagger is derived from the Gaelic Mac Ille Dhagair meaning ‘son of the follower of St. Serf’. The MacIlleDhagair family of Scotland are descended from St. Serf, a highly venerated missionary from the 5th century.
According to the Scotland Census of 1881, the McIlhagger family was still fairly small, with only 13 members of the family listed during that year. By 1891, the population of McIlhaggers had grown slightly larger but still remained quite low, with just 31 people registered with this surname.
Today, the McIlhagger family is still very small, but that does not take away from its unique and noble history. Despite its small size, pride in one’s heritage can be very strong in families such as these, and helps to keep the memory of their ancestors alive.
Variations of the surname McIlhagger
The surname McIlhagger is a variant of several Irish surnames, all of which derive from the same origin. These variants include MacIlhagga, MacIllhagga, MacIlhaggie, MacIlhaggart, MacIlaghga, MacIlaghgart, McIllaigh, McIllhaggie, McIlhagga, McIlhaggar, McIlhaggart, McIlhaggie, McIlhagu, McIlhaguy, McIlhaggy and MacLhagu.
The original Irish surname is believed to be derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Hagairt, which translates to "son of the devotee of Saint Hagerty". This indicates that the original 1890s Irish ancestors of this family were practicing Catholics, or possibly members of a religious order, as Saint Hagerty was a Catholic saint who is credited with founding several monasteries.
Although still uncommon, the McIlhagger surname continues to be seen in modern times and is distributed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and North America. The spelling and variants of the surname may differ due to a variety of reasons, including pronunciation and regional differences. In some cases, immigration into a new land caused the surname to take on a new spelling to fit the language and culture of the country of origin, which could explain why some family members spell the surname differently.
Overall, the McIlhagger surname is a rare variant of several Irish surnames that trace their lineage back to a devoted ancestor who practiced Catholicism in the 1890s. Although the spelling and variations of the surname can vary, ultimately all of these variants can be traced back to a single Irish origin.
Famous people with the name McIlhagger
- David McIlhagger: a British actor, best known for his performance in the film The History Boys.
- Lynda McIlhagger: an American writer and director known for her plays and documentary films.
- Ruth McIlhagger: a British banker, author and TV personality, who has appeared on numerous cooking and financial shows.
- Fraser McIlhagger: a Scottish footballer who played for Rangers F.C. and Dundee F.C.
- Patricia McIlhagger: a Scottish debater and political speaker, who has represented the rights of POC and the LGBTQ+ community.
- Ross McIlhagger: a British former cricketer, who represented Scotland in the international arena.
- James McIlhagger: a British sculptor, renowned for his mysterious and intricate sculptures of urban landscapes.
- Dee McIlhagger: a Canadian politician and banking executive, who is actively involved in progressive politics.
- Robert McIlhagger: a Scottish businessman and entrepreneur, who has been involved in numerous high-profile investments over the years.
- Lachlan McIlhagger: an Australian musician, best known for his journeys into avant-garde and experimental jazz.