Surname MacAlarney - Meaning and Origin

MacAlarney: What does the surname MacAlarney mean?

The last name MacAlarney is an Irish surname that can have a variety of meanings. Though the exact origin is unknown, the most popular theory is that it is a combination of two Gaelic names, 'mac' meaning 'son' and 'Alarney', which derived from the Old Norse first name Halvarinn, meaning “rock”. Thus, one interpretation of the last name MacAlarney is “son of the rock”.

Other suggested meanings of the name include being a form of the Scottish surname McAlorny, which may have roots in the name of a Norman family whose name derived from the French word "Alorn" meaning "peacock". Thus, the MacAlarney name can also be interpreted as having connotations of grandeur or a noble heritage, translating to something like “the son of the illustrious one”.

Finally, the surname can also be seen to break down to “mac” for son and “Alarney” being “of Ailearnaigh”, Ailearnaigh being a place and former barony in County Donegal. This interpretation could mean “son of Ailearnaigh” or “son of the one from Ailearnaigh”.

Ultimately, the exact meaning of MacAlarney is a bit of a mystery, and many of the interpretations provided above may have some, or even no, validity. Nonetheless, it can be said that the popularity of the name, especially in Ireland, speaks of its appeal to those looking for a name with a certain air of nobility to it.

MacAlarney: Where does the name MacAlarney come from?

The last name MacAlarney is common in both Ireland and Scotland. Specifically, it is most common in counties Cork and Kilkenny in Ireland as well as Argyllshire and Inverness-shire in Scotland. It is also found in Northern Ireland. The MacAlarney surname is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Phádraig, which translates loosely to ‘son of the follower of Patrick’. It may also be an Anglicised form of the Irish Mac an Ultaigh, which translates to ‘son of the Ulsterman’.

The MacAlarney family originated in the Movilla and Clanawley baronies of County Down in Ireland where they were a sept of the Magennis clan. From there, they moved to the neighboring counties of Armagh, Cork and Kilkenny, where they were known as the MacGillyulties. The family has also spread to parts of Scotland and England.

In Scotland, MacAlarney is found mainly in the northern counties of Argyleshire and Inverness-shire. It’s also common in Sutherland, Caithness, Orkney and Shetland. In England, the MacAlarney surname is found mainly in Yorkshire, Lancashire and north-western counties such as Cumberland and Westmorland.

The name is still very popular in Ireland today and can be found throughout the country. It is estimated that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people with the MacAlarney surname, either still residing in Ireland or with roots tracing back to the Emerald Isle.

Variations of the surname MacAlarney

The surname MacAlarney is an Irish name of the same root as MacAlarney and MacAleer. The name has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin , which may be encountered when researching genealogy and family history.

The variants of the surname MacAlarney could be spelt, with alternation of the o and e sounds, as MacAlaroe, MacAlarowe or MacAleroe. In some instances it is recorded as MacAlarney, MacAllarney or MacAlerny, or as McAllarney or McAlarney after the anglicisation of the name. It may also by found in its full Gaelic form – Mc Althaoirne or Mac Althaoirne.

In Ireland, the name was mainly associated with Munster, where it was mainly found in Counties Kerry, Cork and Tipperary. It is believed to come from the Gaelic "Mac an Mhaoilir Mai" meaning "son of the chief servant of the hound". The MacAlarney's were chiefs of the Clanna Donnchaidh, ancient tribes in the county Cork.

The MacAleer or McAleer surname is also closely related to the MacAlarney surname, with forms such as McAleer being found in County Donegal. In Scotland, the customer's surname MacAlarney may also take the form of MacAllerney, or MacEllerney. This version is believed to derive from O' hAleirigh, a clan found in the region of Connaught, Ireland.

The surname MacAlarney has a rich past which can be researched through original records such as birth, death, census and military records. Tracing members of this family may provide insight into the not just the history of the family, but also the wider Irish history.

Famous people with the name MacAlarney

• Ryan MacAlarney: professional basketball player
• Stephen MacAlarney: Irish poet
• James MacAlarney: author, essayist and public speaker
• Erin MacAlarney: Irish actress
• Alex MacAlarney: professional rugby union player
• Colin MacAlarney: Actor, musician, model
• Brendan MacAlarney: Australian Paralympic swimmer
• Emma MacAlarney: Irish singer/songwriter
• Sam MacAlarney: Film and television director
• Roisin MacAlarney: Professional camogie player

Other surnames

MacAlary