Surname McIlwee - Meaning and Origin
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McIlwee: What does the surname McIlwee mean?
The last name McIlwee is believed to have originated in the Scottish Highlands in the 12th and 13th centuries. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic first name Mac Giolla Uidhir, which literally means "son of the servant of Uidhir". Uidhir was a Celtic deity and the term "giolla" was reserved for servants of a god, so the overall translation could be roughly interpreted as "servant of the god Uidhir".
Today, the McIlwee surname is mostly found in Ireland, Scotland, and the United States, and is thought to be the result of migration patterns following political upheaval or famine. However, there is evidence that suggests that the name may have been present in other parts of the British Isles prior to the Scottish migration.
McIlwee is a patronymic surname, which is passed down from the father to his children, and is usually a combination of both the father and clan name. In this case, the clan name is thought to derive from the Celtic term “gille”, which means “servant”. Therefore, today the McIlwee surname can be seen as meaning “servant of the god Uidhir”.
Overall, the last name McIlwee is a representation of ancient Celtic culture and religious heritage. It is a reminder of the Scottish Highland roots and reveals an interesting combination of the Gaelic languages. It also serves as a reminder of the long history of migration of the Scots and a connection to the stability and strength of culture throughout many centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMcIlwee: Where does the name McIlwee come from?
The last name McIlwee is most common in Ireland, where it is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Bhuidhe, which translates roughly to "son of the yellow-haired boy". It is thought to have originated in County Mayo, on the west coast of Ireland.
The surname McIlwee is also scattered throughout the United States. In the census of 2000, the surname was most often found in Pennsylvania, where more than 1,300 people listed it as their last name. Other states in which it was heavily represented include New York, California, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, and Illinois.
McIlwee is also common in Canada, particularly in its eastern provinces. According to the 2006 census, the surname was most commonly found in Ontario, home to 1,075 people with that last name. Other provinces where it was particularly common include British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec.
Outside of North America, McIlwee is also scattered throughout parts of Europe. It is most often found in England and Scotland, and it is also present in smaller numbers in Wales, Ireland, Norway, and Germany.
Although it is not necessarily uncommon, the surname McIlwee is still somewhat rare, with an estimated 20,000 people worldwide bearing the last name.
Variations of the surname McIlwee
The surname McIlwee is of Irish origin that has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include MacElwee, McElwee, MacElwie, McIlwy, MacIlwy, McElwie, MacElway, MacIlwee, McIlwee, McElway, McIlwie, MacIlweigh, MacIlwain, MacIlwaine, and McIlwaine.
MacElwee is the most predominant form, with McIlwee being the second most popular. The variants and spellings of MacElwy, MacElwie, and MacElway are the least commonly used spellings.
MacIlwee is derived from the Gaelic words “mac” and “el”, which mean “son of” and “servant of” respectively. It literally means “servant of the god El”. McIlwy also means “servant of El”, though this spelling is derived from the Gaelic mac “ile”.
MacIlwain and MacIlwaine are derived from an Irish name, meaning “son of loyal one”. McIlwie, MacIlweigh, and McIlwaine are all derived from the Gaelic MacGiolla Chaimh (“servant of St. Caimh”).
The surnames McElwee, McElwie, and McElway are Anglicised forms of MacIlwee. They also mean “servant of the god El”, but derive from the Irish mac Laoidhe (“son of the people”).
Overall, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname McIlwee. These offer a rich and varied history of the family and the region it comes from.
Famous people with the name McIlwee
- Alicia McIlwee: a National Security Analyst in the Intelligence and National Security Alliance.
- Donald R. McIlwee: a U.S. Army Veteran, Professional Engineer, and founding President of McIlwee &Associates.
- Mary Jo McIlwee: the Great Lakes Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Chris McIlwee: a British Actor known for his performance in Johnny English Reborn and Beauty and the Beast.
- Jacqui McIlwee: a British Actress known for her performance in Eastenders and Dream Team.
- Marcus McIlwee: an American rugby player who represented the United States at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
- Michael McIlwee: an American politician who served in the Iowa State Senate from 2001 to 2007.
- Jack McIlwee: an American actor known for his performance in the film First Man.
- David McIlwee: a Scottish Wrestler who has competed in many different wrestling promotions.
- Mark McIlwee: an American golfer who has won several professional and amateur titles.