Surname McIlvaile - Meaning and Origin

McIlvaile: What does the surname McIlvaile mean?

The surname McIlvaile is Scottish in origin and it is a variant transcription of the surname MacGillivray, which belongs to the category of 'habitation' names.

This classification of surnames is derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The surname MacGillivray itself originates from the Gaelic "Mac Gille Bhrath", meaning "son of the follower of judgement". This could reflect that a person in the family line held a role that required decision making, such as a judge or chieftain.

Given the long history and evolution of surnames, the original meanings can sometimes be ambiguous. Surnames are subject to regional variations, phonetic misinterpretations, translations, or transformations due to migration which could lead to the creation of different versions such as McIlvaile.

Overall, the McIlvaile surname carries a rich cultural heritage and is a vital link to the family's Scottish ancestry.

McIlvaile: Where does the name McIlvaile come from?

The surname McIlvaile originated from Scotland. It's a variant of the name "MacIlwaine," which is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Giolla Bháin," meaning "son of the pale boy." The McIlvaile family was seated in Wigtownshire and played a prominent role in Scottish history. However, it is important to note that due to migration and dispersal over the centuries, the McIlvaile surname can now be found in many different countries around the world, including the United States. Despite this, it is not a common surname today. The surname is so rare that it doesn't appear in the U.S. Census Bureau's frequently occurring surname list. Thus, tracking the current frequency of the McIlvaile surname can be challenging. However, resources like genealogical databases and surname distribution maps can provide some insights into the modern prevalence of the McIlvaile surname.

Variations of the surname McIlvaile

The surname McIlvaile has potential variants including McIlvail, McIlvaine, McIlvane, McElwee, and McIlveen. Surnames such as McIlwain, Mcilwaine, McIlvein, McIlwane, and MacIlvaine could also possibly be variants of McIlvaile.

Different spellings for this surname could also be found based on the phonetic transcription of the name, due to immigration and different monikers in various languages. For instance, Muckelwee, McElwey, McElvee, or McAlwey to name a few.

These names and variations are predominantly of Irish and Scottish origin, specifically in reference to Gaelic patronymic names. Notably, these variations may not necessarily be connected back to a single root family, as distinct families could adopt similar names independently. The surname is believed to have originated from Mac giolla Ghuibhne which means 'son of the servant of St. Gobnait'.

In Ireland, similar surnames could be McLaverty, McAuley, and McAvoy. However, verifying a direct connection or origin from McIlvaile may prove to be difficult. It is recommended that individual genealogical research or consultation with a family history expert be undertaken to confirm any ancestral links.

Famous people with the name McIlvaile

• Robert McIlvaile: A former Ontario provincial politician, Robert McIlvaile was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and served as Member of Parliament for the Beaches–East York electoral district.
• Edward McIlvaile: A Scottish-Canadian actor best known for appearing in projects such as "The Commuter" (2017) and "Game of Death" (2018).
• Thomas McIlvaile: An American screenwriter, director, and executive producer of several films and television series, including "Hell Hath No Fury" (1998).
• David McIlvaile: A Canadian hockey player and former American Hockey League (AHL) head coach.
• Alan McIlvaile: A former lawyer and Canadian politician who was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
• Ian McIlvaile: An American actor, film producer, and former model.
• Colin McIlvaile: A Scottish-born actor, best known for his roles in the television series "Harry & Paul" (2009–2012).
• Alan McIlvaile: A Canadian ice hockey player and coach who served as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1982–83 NHL season.
• Patrick McIlvaile: A former Canadian figure skater and coach who competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics and 1986 World Championships.
• Francis J. McIlvaile: A prominent American lawyer who served as President of the Arizona Bar Association from 1981–1982.

Other surnames

McIlvail