Surname MacCloy - Meaning and Origin
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MacCloy: What does the surname MacCloy mean?
The surname MacCloy is of Irish origin, stemming from the Gaelic "Mac Giolla Chomhghaill", which translates to "son of the servant of St. Comgal". Comgal, or Comgall, was a 6th century abbot and saint who founded the great monastic school of Bangor, in County Down, Northern Ireland. Over time, and with varying phonetic translations and Anglicization, this name has surfaced in many forms such as MacCloy, McCloy, MacGilloway, and many others. With the historical context, the name MacCloy can mean "Son of the Devotee of St. Comgal". Variants of the name can be found throughout Ireland, most commonly in the northern regions due to the historical location of St. Comgal’s abbey. Therefore, carrying the surname 'MacCloy' indicates a familial link to someone who was a servant or follower of St. Comgall, indicating a history steeped in religious service. Like many Irish surnames, it encapsulates a part of the family's cultural and spiritual history, telling a story of devotion and deep faith.
Please note that the interpretations of surnames can vary, and this is one of the interpretations based on the etymology and historical usage of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCloy: Where does the name MacCloy come from?
The surname MacCloy is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Fhaolain, meaning 'son of the wolf's servant'. It has been anglicized to various forms, among them MacCloy. The name originates from a sept (a family or clan) in the historic Kingdom of Oriel, an area that included parts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. When it comes to the current geographical distribution, exact details are elusive due to the rarity of the surname. However, people bearing MacCloy surname might primarily be found in Ireland and in regions that have a significant Irish diaspora, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Tracking the surname might be complicated because of the multiple anglicized versions that exist. It's important to note that changes in spelling can often occur with immigration, due to different phonetic interpretations or language adaptations. As such, finding MacCloy might involve considering variations like McGloin, McGlone, or MacGloin.
Variations of the surname MacCloy
The surname MacCloy might have several variations and might be derived from different origins based on geographical locations and dialects. Some of these dissimilar forms could include McCloy, McClay, MacClay, McLeay, MacLeay, McClea, McClee, and even McCleay.
The surname MacCloy is believed to be of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Eathach which means "son of the devotee of St. Eochaidh.” There is an alternate theory that it might originate from the old Gaelic Macclugh, meaning “son of the deceiver.”
Many surnames were often written based on how they sounded which caused many different spelling variations. This can be seen in the extremely wide variety of spellings of MacCloy found in records over time. It may be possible that the following names could be connected or serve as additional variations: MacLoy, MacClea, Makclea, Makle, Macklea, and Mackley.
However, one must be cautious while establishing such connections between surnames, since similarities in spelling or sound do not necessarily indicate a common origin. Accurate tracing would require a thorough genealogical study. Please note that several Mac, Mc, or MacC names are quite common in the Celtic world and do not always signify familial connections.
Famous people with the name MacCloy
- Angus MacCloy: Former footballer, featured for St Mirren and Clydebank.
- Ian MacCloy: Actor, popular British soap opera Eastenders.
- Christopher MacCloy: Entrepreneur and hotelier behind the MacCloy Line of hotels.
- Sarah MacCloy: Canadian Olympic snowboarder and freestyle skiing world medalist.
- Hugh MacCloy: Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL from 1907–1916.
- Richard MacCloy: British television producer and director.
- Jordan MacCloy: American figure skater, born in Texas in 1999.
- Tim MacCloy: Scottish comedian and stand-up performer.
- Barry MacCloy: American professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour.
- William MacCloy: Scottish-born Canadian actor.