Surname Mulfavil - Meaning and Origin
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Mulfavil: What does the surname Mulfavil mean?
The surname Mulfavil originates from Scotland, and has derived from Mulvihil, a gentile name for a person or family who lived near the large hill now known as Mull Hill. The first record of the name being used was in the mid-16th century, when a Mitchell Mulfavil was recorded as living in Fife.
The etymology of Mulfavil comes from two sources; 'Mul' is derived from the Gaelic word 'bachall' which translates to 'staff' or 'mace', and 'vihil' is of disputed origin, though it is suggested to come from the Gaelic 'viadh', which translates to 'hunter'. The name was possibly created to refer to a hunter carrying a staff or mace, or the leader of a hunting expedition.
Due to its Scottish roots, the name Mulfavil was most common in the northern and eastern parts of Scotland. It could also be found in some parts of England, Ireland, and overseas in countries such as the United States. Over time, Mulfavil has become a popular surname and is used by many families today.
Order DNA origin analysisMulfavil: Where does the name Mulfavil come from?
The last name Mulfavil is commonly found in the United States and Canada. The name is an Americanized version of the German surname Mühlfeld. It became an alternate spelling of the name in the late 1800s when immigrants to the United States and Canada began Americanizing their surnames as a way to make them more easily understood and pronounced.
The name Mulfavil is also native to a number of other countries, including Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. Records show that it was also quite common in England in the 19th century, however the spelling of the name was often adjusted slightly to accommodate the English language, with various renditions such as Halevil and Moulfield instead.
Mulfavil is most common in the United States today, spelling-wise. Given its roots in German, the name has been associated with predominantly-German settlement areas in the US, such as those found in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. Records show that the name was first recorded in the US in the 1840s.
It's unclear why most of the name holders moved to the US, as German was spoken across the world in that time. It's likely a mix of family connections, work, and economics among others that motivated them to leave their homes. Whatever their reasons, the Mulfavil family name is part of the diaspora of German families in the US.
Variations of the surname Mulfavil
The surname Mulfavil can be spelt in multiple ways. The most common spelling variations are Mulfavill and Mulfaville. Other variant spellings of this name include Molville, Maulville, Mauville, Mowville, Mulville, Mallvile, Maillvile, Malville, Mualwill, Mallwill, Maillwill, and Mallwill.
This surname is of British origin, and is derived from the Old English personal name "Mulpheawill", which was a combination of two elements "mul" meaning "work" or "assistance" and "pheawill" meaning "cattle". It was originally a nickname for a fisherman or a herdsman, and later it became a hereditary surname.
The Mulfavil surname can also be found in records of various countries, such as Germany, Denmark, England, and Scotland. It is possible that this surname was brought to other countries by immigrants with this surname. Some surnames derived from Mulfavil include Millford, Milner, Mulford, and Molespolicy.
The Mulfavil surname can also be found in records of various other ethnic groups, including Welsh, Irish, Scottish, German, Dutch, and French. It is likely that the migrations of people with this surname were rooted in the Middle Ages when it was common for families to migrate in search of better opportunities. Other variants of this surname, such as Mollwill, Mallwill, Maillwill, and Maulwill, can also be found in different records from other countries.
Famous people with the name Mulfavil
- David Mulvihil: Irish psychologist, writer, and lecturer.
- Jackie Mulvihil: Irish radio presenter.
- Thomas Mulvihil: Irish actor.
- Peter Mulvihil: Irish actor, producer, and director.
- Shane Mulvihil: Irish footballer.
- James Mulvihil: Irish rugby union player.
- Mark Mulvihil: Irish hurler.
- Catherine Mulvihil: Irish singer-songwriter.
- Brendan Mulvihil: Irish composer and musician.
- Mike Mulvihil: Northern Irish footballer.