Surname Mac Giolla Phádraig - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Giolla Phádraig: What does the surname Mac Giolla Phádraig mean?
The Irish surname Mac Giolla Phádraig is derived from the Gaelic phrase “Mac Giolla Phádraig” which translates to “son of the devotee of St. Patrick”. Historically, the name is associated with the Uí Fiachrach lineage, descended from Fiachra, the legendary ancestor of the Uí Fiachrach and the father of seven sons. During the 7th century, the Mac Giolla Phádraig lineage began in Ireland and spread throughout Scotland, Wales, and England.
The name has become a symbol of Patrick’s journey throughout the Gaelic-speaking communities of the British Isles, and therefore is a symbol of devotion to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed that the assimilation of St. Patrick into the Gaelic culture and folklore was an act of honour amongst various tribes and clans that may have had descendant lineages from Fiachra.
The Mac Giolla Phádraig name has been used sparingly in Ireland, however, it has grown in popularity in recent years with its connection to Irish history and culture. Notable people with the surname include the O’Donnells, a kin group who were descendants of Toirdelbach Ua Conchobair (Turlough O’Connor). Other notable people include John O’Donnell, an Irish preacher and playwright, and Flora MacGIollaphádraig, an Irish botanist.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Giolla Phádraig: Where does the name Mac Giolla Phádraig come from?
The last name Mac Giolla Phádraig (sometimes anglicized as McIlhargey, McElligott, and McIlharge) is most commonly found today in Ireland, particularly the southwestern and western regions of the country. Its roots trace back to the 12th century when the Uí Fháilghe dynasty ruled the area around the modern day towns of Inishowen, Donegal, and Leitrim.
The most famous bearer of the name Mac Giolla Phádraig was Gréagóir Ó Maol Phádraig, the founder of Dungarvan Abbey in Co. Waterford in 1368. Since that time, the name has continued to be used throughout the centuries, although many families Anglicized it to make it easier for their descendants to integrate into wider society.
Today, the popularity of the last name Mac Giolla Phádraig is strongest in the Connaught region of Ireland, which encompasses counties such as Mayo, Galway, Sligo, and Leitrim. This region is known for its strong links to its Gaelic past, and many families there are still proud to bear the ancestral Mac Giolla Phádraig name.
However, the name is also very common throughout the world. Its popularity began to disperse throughout the 19th century as increasing waves of Irish emigrated to the United States and other parts of the world. Today, it is not uncommon to find Mac Giolla Phádraig families in countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Mac Giolla Phádraig
The surname Mac Giolla Phádraig is of Irish origin and is derived from the Irish phrase “Mac Giolla Phádraig” which translates as “son of the servant of St Patrick”, so the name literally means “servant of Patrick”. The surname has many variants in Irish including Mac Giollapheiric, Mac Giolla Pháiric, Mac Giolla Pháiric, Mac Giollaphádraig, as well as MacGillapatrick, and MacGillavary.
In England, where many Irish immigrants settled during the 19th century, the name can be found spelled as MacGillpatrick or McGilpatric. Other variants include MacPháidín, Magilphedrain, and Mageldrain.
The Gaelic form of the surname is MacGillaPhádraig. It is also sometimes known as “Ó Giolla Phádraig” or “McGillpfee”. The “Mc” is sometimes replaced by a capital “P”, so it becomes “PGiolla Phádraig”.
In Scotland, the surname is often found as MacGillivray, MacGilvrie, or McGilvery. It is also sometimes spelled as MacGillivary, with the “v” replaced by a “b”, so it becomes MacGillibary.
In the United States, the surname is often found as MacGillpatrick or MacGillpfee. It can also be found as McGillivray or MacGivra. Other variations include McGillvera, Magillivore, or MacGillpay.
Regardless of the changing spellings and surnames, the surname Mac Giolla Phádraig is ultimately derived from the phrase “son of the servant of St Patrick” and remains an important point of pride for Irish people throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Mac Giolla Phádraig
- Mícheál Mac Giolla Phádraig: prominent Irish politician and former High Court Judge
- Pádraig Mac Giolla Phádraig: prominent Irish literary historian and scholar
- Cathaoir Mac Giolla Phádraig: Gaelic football player and current manager of Donegal Senior Football team
- Eamonn Mac Giolla Phádraig: former chairperson of the Sinn Féin
- Gearóid Mac Giolla Phádraig: songwriter and singer
- Eunan Mac Giolla Phádraig: current chief executive of BBC Gaeilge
- Enda Mac Giolla Phádraig: current poetry professor at the University of Georgia
- Diarmaid Mac Giolla Phádraig: historian and author
- Cathair Mac Giolla Phádraig: former presenter of the radio show "Tongue Cuanacht"
- Cormac Mac Giolla Phádraig: former leader of the Green Party in the Republic of Ireland