Surname MacKilchrist - Meaning and Origin
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MacKilchrist: What does the surname MacKilchrist mean?
The surname Mackilchrist is derived from the old Gaelic language and is a patronymic surname that indicates a family descended from the son of Christopher. The surname is most commonly found in Scotland and, in particular, around the area of Oban and Argyll in the western highlands region.
The prefix "Mac" is a Gaelic word meaning "son of" and is typically written as Mc or Mac in the modern days. Kilchrist is derived from the old Gaelic word “coille" meaning "grove" and "christ," meaning "following." Therefore, the overall meaning of the surname Mackilchrist can essentially be translated as "son of the follower of the grove."
Mackilchrist has historically been a very common surname throughout Scotland and Ireland. It likely originated from Scotland’s old Clan MacKilchrist, of which there were several branches in Scotland. As a result, many members of the same family share the same surname.
Today, the Mackilchrist surname is not as popular as it once was but can still be found in many parts of Scotland and also in other countries all around the world. This likely reflects the journey of descendants of Clan MacKilchrist who have moved around the globe in different periods of history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKilchrist: Where does the name MacKilchrist come from?
The last name MacKilchrist is most commonly found in Scotland today, hinting at its Scottish origins. It can also be found in the United States, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, and other parts of the British Isles. The population of those with the last name MacKilchrist is relatively small, estimated to be around 7,500 people worldwide.
The origins of the name MacKilchrist are thought to be associated with the ancient kingdom of Dalriada, which dates back to the 6th century. The kingdom was located in an area of the modern day Isle of Islay, just off the west coast of Scotland. It is believed that the MacKilchrist surname arrived in Scotland with a family that had migrated from Ireland.
If you trace your ancestry to MacKilchrist, it is likely that your roots are strongly connected to Scotland. This is likely due to the fact that the name has remained so firmly entrenched in the region since its arrival.
If you are searching for your ancestors with the surname MacKilchrist, one of the best places to begin your search is Islay. This region is home to many MacKilchrist families, and there are likely to be records that can be used to trace your family tree. Your next stop should be the local church and archives, as these are often the best source of information about genealogical records.
Variations of the surname MacKilchrist
The surname MacKilchrist, sometimes also spelled MacKilchrest or MacKilchrash, is of Scottish ancestry and origin. The surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac Gillchrist, which means "son of the servant of Christ". Variations of the MacKilchrist surname include MacKilchrest, MacKilchrash and MacKilcrash. These variations may be found in some families.
Other variants of the MacKilchrist surname include MacGillchrist, Makquilchriste, Makkilchrist, MacGillchrist, MacKelchriese and MacKelchris. Some rare variants of the name include Maquilcarist, MacKlechris, Makquilcarrist, MacKilquarrist and MacKelcrash.
Surnames descended from the original MacKilchrist include Kilpatrick, Kilcrease and Kilcreasey. Other related surnames include MacKellap, MacKellop, and MacKellopey. In addition, some related variations of the MacKilchrist surname include Kilpatrick, Kilkirk, Kirkpatrick, Kircrease and Kircreasey.
In some cases, the surname MacKilchrist has been anglicized to other surnames, including McCrist, McCrasher, McCrash and MacKelcrash. The anglicized versions of the name are common especially in America, where immigrants adapted their surnames to fit the English language.
In conclusion, the MacKilchrist surname has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, and is an ancient Scottish surname.
Famous people with the name MacKilchrist
- William Henry Mackilchrist: 19th century lawyer, estate-owner and politician in New South Wales, Australia
- Joe Mackilchrist: professional hockey player for the Victoria Cougars of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) in the 1920s
- Augusta Maria Mackilchrist: English novelist, temperance worker and feminist
- Robert Mackilchrist: Scottish merchant, benefactor, founder of the first bathing house in Campbeltown, Scotland
- Kenneth Mackilchrist: Canadian politician, who served as mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario from 1958 to 1961
- Andrew MacKilchrist: bold sailor who discovered the kingdom of New Ireland in Papua New Guinea
- Stephen Mackilchrist: Australian public servant, one of the first post-graduates to join the New South Wales Public Service in 1866
- Alfred Mackilchrist: co-founder of the South African Labour Party and a major leader of the labour movement in South Africa
- Archibald Greig Mackilchrist: Scottish palaeontologist, botanist, fossil collector and co-founder of the Dumfriesshire Natural History and Antiquarian Society
- Charles William Mackilchrist: a Scottish minister, author and theologian