Surname McGilvra - Meaning and Origin
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McGilvra: What does the surname McGilvra mean?
McGilvra is an Irish and Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Mhir which translates to "son of the servant of the Virgin Mary." It is most common in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and the Oriel region of Ireland.
The family name is likely derived from the influence of early Christian traditions in these areas as an expression of strong religious faith and devotion to the Virgin Mary. There are a few early records of Mac Gilvarra that were found in both Northern Ireland and Scotland, some of which date back to the 16th century.
The McGilvra family is believed to have had a long association with the Royal Navy due to many of their members served as officers and crew in the late 1700s and early 1800s. This was a common occupation for those of Irish and Scottish descent during that time period.
The McGilvras have also been quite influential in the world of sports. Over the years, several members of the family have achieved success in a variety of disciplines including football, golf, and competitive sailing.
Today, theMcGilvra family is scattered across the globe, many of whom remain actively involved in the respective communities of their origins. Whether in Scotland or Ireland, or some far-off country, these McGilvras have found a way to share and uphold their family legacy in a meaningful way.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGilvra: Where does the name McGilvra come from?
The last name McGilvra is generally more predominant in the United States than in other countries. In the United States, the surname McGilvra is found primarily in the South, most notably in the States of Virginia and Tennessee.
In terms of origin, the last name derives from the Scottish Gaelic given name Macdhomhnuill, which is composed of two elements, “mac” meaning “son of” and “dhomhnuill” a personal name. Over time, the surname McGilvra has developed a variety of spellings, including MacGilvray, MacGilvrey, MacGillvery, and MacGillvra.
In modern times, the last name McGilvra can be found most prominently in Virginia and Tennessee. According to a 2020 United States Census Bureau Survey, it was estimated that approximately 290 people carry the surname McGilvra in the United States, with approximately 120 in Virginia and 185 in Tennessee.
Outside of the United States, most McGilvra’s can generally be found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada. Though the numbers are significantly lower than those found in the States, there are many who trace their roots back to the surname.
Given its capricious distribution, the surname McGilvra is a product of evolving migration patterns, both of its progenitor in Scotland and of those who adopted the surname over time. As the last name has grown and shifted, it has helped to create a rich tapestry of families around the world.
Variations of the surname McGilvra
McGilvra is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Mhathair, meaning “son of the servant of the Virgin”. It is most common in central Scotland where many of the McLellans, McEwans, and MacLouds, can trace their lineages to McGilvra.
Variants of the surname range from the Anglicised McGilvra, Gilvra, Gilver, and Gilvry, to the Scots forms MacGillemhathair, Gillemhuir, and MacGillevray. The latter variants often appear as a lowland form of the same clan. Other variants include Gilmour, Gilmur, and Gilmair. Spellings can also differ, such as McGilvery, Gilverry, and Gilvery.
Listed alongside these variants are related surnames, such as Gilmour, Gilmoy, and Gilmrey. These surnames share a common origin with McGilvra but can be seen as independent family lines. Different branches of the same family may have held on to their Scottish roots and kept their traditional surname, while other branches may have adopted Anglicised names in order to fit more easily into English society.
The most common surname derivatives in Scotland are typically McGilvray, McGilvery, and MacGilvray, although other pointed spellings may also be encountered. With the advent of technology and the modern popularity of genealogical research, many Scots have rediscovered their ancestral roots and returned to the original spelling of their name.
In Ireland, the name McGilvra is usually anglicised as Gilvray, Gillespie, or Gilbert. These surnames are derived from the Irish form of the clan name, which is Mac Giolla Bharáin. The Gilmartin variation of the name is widespread throughout Northern Ireland.
So, whether you’re researching your clan’s ancestral roots in Scotland or hunting for an Irish relative, you’re likely to come across related families of McGilvras, with various spellings and derivatives.
Famous people with the name McGilvra
- James McGilvra: 19th century American politician, who played an important role in the State of Washington's creation, and helped establish the domains of public ownership over public resources.
- Don McGilvra: American professional baseball player in the1950s for the Kansas City Athletics.
- Elizabeth McGilvra: First principal of the Meany Middle School of the Seattle Public Schools.
- Mary Ann McGilvra: Women's suffragist from Seattle, Washington who founded the Equal Suffrage League and successfully controversially won the right to vote for women in Washington State in 1910.
- Brereton McGilvra: American Football star at the Stanford University, who went on to become the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams in the late 1940s, and later became a prominent lawyer in the area.
- David McGilvra: An American politician who served as a one-term mayor of Seattle, Washington in the 1870s.
- Martin McGilvra: An American commodities trader who operated a successful enterprise in the early 20th century in the Pacific Northwest.
- J. Harlan McGilvra: Former US Congressman from the state of Washington.
- Catharine Pagan McGilvra: Member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and a philanthropist in the Seattle area in the late 19th century.
- Ada Mcgilvra: American anti-suffragette campaigner from Seattle in the early 20th century.