Surname MacKilcooley - Meaning and Origin
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MacKilcooley: What does the surname MacKilcooley mean?
The surname MacKilcooley is of Scottish and Irish origin meaning “son of the servant of the church”. While the origin of the surname is uncertain, the Irish version of the name, Mac Giolla Chuille, means "son of the devotee of (St.) Cullen".
The MacKilcooley name is linked to the lands of Kilcooley and the neighbouring district Tully in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. These lands were familiarity known as the Clan MacKilcooley, who were Scotland-Irish farmers who first settled in Northern Ireland in the mid-17th century.
The basic meaning of the surname MacKilcooley is derived from the Gaelic word ‘giolla’ meaning "devotee" or "servant of" and follows the saint’s name ‘Chuille’. The ‘Mac’ prefix simply means ‘son of’ making the surname MacKilcooley one of the many patronymic surnames of the region.
So, the full name "MacKilcooley" literally translates to “son of the servant of (St.) Cullen” and this provided the divisive clans a unique identity within Northern Ireland. Its members have left their mark on history though even hundreds of years after they began to settle in the region.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKilcooley: Where does the name MacKilcooley come from?
The last name MacKilcooley is most commonly found in Ireland today, where it has likely been around for centuries. The surname is of ancient Irish origins, firstly established in Ulster, and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Chuda or "son of the servant of St. Cuthbert". The surname is associated with the O'Kilcooley Clan, who are descended from a chieftain of the Fermanagh region.
The most populous areas today with the MacKilcooley name are, unsurprisingly, in the Irish counties of Ulster, particularly in Fermanagh and some parts of Donegal. Many bearers have since emigrated from the Emerald Isle, particularly to parts of Britain including Scotland and Wales, and further to Canada, the United States, and Australia.
One of the earliest records of the MacKilcooley name dates back to 1609 in the Barony of Fartullagh in County Fermanagh. By the 18th century, the most influential family bearing the name were located in the Tully Castle in Fermanagh, which still stands today.
Today, the last name MacKilcooley is widespread throughout the world, yet still most noticeably in the Emerald Isle.
Variations of the surname MacKilcooley
The surname MacKilcooley has some variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the surname is Kilcooley. It is usually found spelled as Kilcullen, Kilkullen, Kilculey and Mac Kilcooley. It is also sometimes found spelled as MacCuley, MacCuley, MacCawley or MacCoul.
The surname is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Mac Uí Chuilcughdha, meaning "son (Mac) of Uí Chuilcughdha". The Uí Chuilcughdha were a Norman tribe who settled in County Mayo.
The surname Kilcooley is found mainly in Ireland, and the variants MacKilcooley and MacCuley are commonly found in Scotland. The surname is also found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere.
Other variations of the surname MacKilcooley are Kilcoely, Kilcoley, McCulloch, MacKulloch, MacColough, McCool, McCoule, McCahill, Machil and Machorr.
In summary, the surname MacKilcooley has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Kilcooley, MacCuley, MacKulloch, and McCool. Many of the variants can be found in Ireland, Scotland, the United States and other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name MacKilcooley
- John MacKilcooley: Former NBA player and award-winning documentary filmmaker.
- Roger MacKilcooley: A renowned jazz saxophonist known for his work with international artists.
- Anna MacKilcooley: An acclaimed Australian TV actress, known for roles in shows such as Neighbours and Home & Away.
- Llewellyn MacKilcooley: A Welsh philosopher best known for his books on existentialism.
- Rupert MacKilcooley: A famous photographer who pioneered the selfie culture with his Instagram pictures.
- Manuela MacKilcooley: An award-winning Latin pop singer with sold out tours in the United States.
- Shelden MacKilcooley: An American politician and three-term mayor of the city of Oakland, California.
- Aidan MacKilcooley: A Canadian journalist and award-winning news anchor of the CBC news.
- Siobhan MacKilcooley: An acclaimed Irish novelist, best known for her historical fiction books.
- Nikolai MacKilcooley: An award-winning classical pianist from Russia.
- Deborah MacKilcooley: An influential figure in the LGBTQ rights movement in the United States.
- Fiona MacKilcooley: A renowned artist from Scotland, best known for her expressive watercolour paintings.
- Otis MacKilcooley: An American professor of finance and economics, teaching in one of the top business schools in the country.