Surname McIlwain - Meaning and Origin
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McIlwain: What does the surname McIlwain mean?
The last name McIlwain is of Scottish and Ulster-Scots origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Mac Giolla Bheáin, meaning "son of the servant of St. John". The origination of the name McIlwain in Scotland is believed to have been in Wigtownshire, a district in the south-west of the country. It is possible that this name was brought to Ulster in Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the 16th century.
The McIlwain family can also be found in many other countries, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The name has evolved in these countries, sometimes being spelled differently, such as McElwain, McElven, and McAlwain.
The early McIlwains were mainly farmers and small landowners. In Scotland, many of them were also merchants, craftsmen and publicans. In Ireland, they often took part in the linen trade. The McIlwain family gradually spread to Ireland, Great Britain, and around the world, and over the years it has become a respected and admired Scottish name. Although McIlwains are part of a long and proud heritage, they are also part of a vibrant and dynamic community of modern times.
The modern McIlwain is just as likely to be a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, an entrepreneur, a science-fiction author, or a museum curator, as he or she is to be a member of any of the traditional occupations of the McIlwain's ancestors. But no matter what the individual McIlwain is doing, one thing is certain; wherever they are, they are proud to be part of the McIlwain family.
Order DNA origin analysisMcIlwain: Where does the name McIlwain come from?
The last name McIlwain is of Scottish-Irish descent and is most commonly found in countries with a strong Irish heritage such as England, Ireland, Scotland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. McIlwain is a fairly uncommon surname in the United States, with the family's American numbers totaling around 5,200 in 2020’s census records.
Most of these McIlwains reside in the former British colonies and states where Irish immigrants are concentrated. For example, according to a 2020 estimate, most of the McIlwain families live in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. A more recent surge in numbers has seen many McIlwains settling in California, Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Indiana, and the District of Columbia.
The McIlwain surname is even represented in other countries throughout the world. For instance, Australia and Canada have McIlwains of Irish descent or are descended from emigrants who arrived during the Great Famine.
The presence of the McIlwain last name is quite prominent in the European nations such as Ireland and Scotland, but can be found in significant numbers in various countries with Irish-ness. The family is thus widely spread across the world, and today’s McIlwains have roots in many countries.
Variations of the surname McIlwain
McIlwain is a traditional Northern Irish and Scottish surname. It is derived from the Gaelic-language Mac Giolla Eoin, meaning "son of the follower of (Saint) John." The surname has several known variations and spellings, including MacIlwain, McEllwain, McEllwaine, McIlwaine, and MacGille Eoin.
The McIlwain spelling is the most popular version of this surname, but other variants are also used in some parts of the world. The McEllwain and McEllwaine versions are commonly used in Scotland and northern Ireland, while the McIlwaine version is often seen in Canada and the US.
In addition to these variants, the McIlwain surname can also be spelled MacGilwain, MacGilleon, MacGillewain, MacGillon, MacGilaine, and MacGillwane. All of these versions are believed to descend from the same source, suggesting that they are variations of the same surname.
Finally, several other surnames are believed to have been derived from the original McIlwain surname. These include McEllwainy, MacGille Wei, MacGillwane, MacGillean, MacGillivan, and McKillip. As with the original McIlwain surname, all of these surnames have their own variants and spellings, though all of them can trace their roots back to the same source.
Famous people with the name McIlwain
- Ryan McIlwain: an American dancer, choreographer, and actor who has appeared in commercials, music videos, and on Broadway.
- Eric McIlwain: an Australian rugby union player who plays for the Waratahs in the Super Rugby competition.
- Joe McIlwain: an American baseball player who pitched 23 games in the Major Leagues from 1927 to 1929.
- Tyler McIlwain: an American former professional ice hockey player who played in the American Hockey League and the ECHL.
- Don McIlwain: a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox from 1959 to 1961.
- Dave McIlwain: a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played 513 games in the National Hockey League.
- Charles McIlwain: an American philosopher, Professor Emeritus at the University of Rochester, and the author of numerous books on the philosophical and historical aspects of the American Revolution.
- John McIlwain: an Australian environmental scientist and researcher who has written extensively on environmental issues, including climate change and global warming.
- Lawrence McIlwain: an American businessman, entrepreneur, and naval veteran who founded and operated several successful businesses, including several car-related businesses.
- June McIlwain: an American classical and contemporary pianist who has performed internationally and released several solo albums.