Surname MacNeilage - Meaning and Origin
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MacNeilage: What does the surname MacNeilage mean?
The last name MacNeilage originates from Scotland, and is a combination of two ancient Gaelic words – Mac meaning “son of” and Neill (or Niall) which is a forename meaning “champion”. So, the phrase Mac Neillage means “son of the champion”.
The first records of the surname appear in the 11th century, when it was first mentioned as a patronymic of a well-known leader of the Clan MacNeil in the historic Western Isles of Scotland. The leader’s name is written as Maol Nill Mhic Neill, a title which translates to “son of the champion of MacNeil”. This patronymic name eventually evolved into the current spellings of MacNeilage or MacNeillage.
The Clan MacNeil is tied to a long line of Scottish chieftains, and the origins of the name may even go back to Neill Mor, a warrior from the 8th century who was known as the “great slinger”. The MacNeilage name is particularly common in the Scottish Highlands and the historic parts of Argyll.
The spelling of MacNeilage may have varied over the centuries, but the name is still very popular in Scotland and among those with Scottish heritage from other countries.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNeilage: Where does the name MacNeilage come from?
The last name MacNeilage is a Scottish name and is said to have originated in the highlands of Scotland. It is also found in Ireland. It is believed that the MacNeilage family name is related to the ancient clan of MacNeil, who were located on the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Today, the name MacNeilage is still quite common in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. In the United States the MacNeilage surname is found particularly in the states of Massachusetts, California, and New York. It is also often found in Canada due to the large number of Scottish immigrants who settled there during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The surname is also quite popular in Australia where it is believed some of the original MacNeilage family moved through immigration from Scotland and Ireland.
The MacNeilage family can also be traced to other countries in Europe such as Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy.
The name MacNeilage is still a popular name in many regions today and is often associated with Scottish and Irish tradition. The MacNeilage family coat of arms symbols consist of a lion rampant in the centre, a stag’s head and a series of leaves. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘MacNeilage motto’ or ‘crest’ today.
Variations of the surname MacNeilage
MacNeilage is an Irish surname. The variants and other spellings of MacNeilage include MacNeillige, MacNillygh, MacNillage, MacNeilligh, MacNilleg, MacNeillage, MacNealey, MacNelighe, and MacNellygge.
The surname MacNeilage is derived from the Irish phrase ‘Mac Neily’ meaning ‘Sons of Neil’, referring to descendants of the Gaelic clan name Niall (sometimes spelled Neil). The clan Niall was very powerful in ancient Ireland and ruled most of the island. The clan's descendants are found throughout the world.
Some less common alternate spellings of MacNeilage have additional suffixes at the end of the name such as MacNellygg, MacNillygh, MacNealeygh, MacNeligh, and MacNeillighe. These suffixes signify some variant version of the original name.
The surnames that share the same origin as MacNeilage include MacNeill, MacNeile, MacNeal, McNeil, MacNiel, MacNile, MacNail, MacNaille, and MacNeilll. These are variants of the MacNeilage surname and were formed over time as the name was passed down throughout the centuries.
Overall, MacNeilage is an old Irish surname formed from the Gaelic clan name Niall, and has many variants and spellings. Other surnames descended from this same origin include MacNeill, MacNeile, MacNeal, MacNiel, MacNile, MacNail, MacNaille, and MacNeilll.
Famous people with the name MacNeilage
- Kiefer MacNeilage: Kiefer is an award-winning actor, best known for his roles in films such as Southpaw, The dark knight rises, and The Accountant.
- Kaylee MacNeilage: Kaylee is a Canadian actress, and best known for her roles in films such as Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters and The Unseeable.
- Emma MacNeilage: Emma is a singer-songwriter who recently released her debut album "Midnight Flowers".
- Mark MacNeilage: Mark is a visual artist whose work has been displayed in galleries all over the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
- David MacNeilage: David is a renowned economist, and the current Chairman of the Global Economic Council.
- Graham MacNeilage: Graham is a Canadian hockey player, and current captain of the Vancouver Canucks.
- Claire MacNeilage: Claire is a social entrepreneur, and has achieved worldwide recognition for her work in fighting poverty and developing entrepreneurial solutions to complex social issues.
- Jake MacNeilage: Jake is an actor, known for his roles in shows such as American Horror Story and The Path, as well as films such as Offspring and The Unseen.
- Christina MacNeilage: Christina is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and is the current Editor-in-Chief of The New York Times Magazine.
- Eliza MacNeilage: Eliza is an acclaimed author, and her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide.