Surname MacCloskey - Meaning and Origin
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MacCloskey: What does the surname MacCloskey mean?
The last name MacCloskey is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac U ḋ naill Aodha, which translates to the son of Ó Domhnall's son. The original Ó Domhnall was the son of a ruler who belonged to Clan MacDhónnghaile in the area of Ulster in northern Ireland. The MacCloskey family would have descended this line of Clan MacDhónnghaile.
MacDhónnghaile was one of the dominant Clans of the Ui Neill, the Kings of the North of Ireland, and a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages (genealogical ancestor of the Ui Neill). The change from Laighean (Leinster) to Ulster occurred in the 12th century when MacDhónnghaile took possession of vast stretches of land in County Donegal and drove out the local population who had been the original owners of the land.
The Clan MacDhónnghaile is also known as the Clan of the Red Branch, a name derived from the Red Branch Knights, part of the legendary court of Ulster in Irish mythology known as the Red Branch Hall. This legendary court and tales about the Red Branch Knights were some of the earliest forms of written literature in Ireland, illustrating a long, proud history of the Clan MacDhónnghaile.
The surname MacCloskey is found today throughout Ireland and a number of other countries. It retains the signifiers of a strong history, of a proud culture, and a bond with an ancient people, originally from the land of Ulster.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCloskey: Where does the name MacCloskey come from?
The last name MacCloskey is of English origin, with roots in Scotland. It is most commonly found in Ireland, where it is an Anglicised version of the Irish O'Cluskey. It is thought to derive from the Gaelic phrase "Mac an Chlochaire," meaning "son of the stonecarver."
The surname can also be found in the United States, specifically in areas with high Irish populations, such as Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. It is not as common in England and Scotland, however, as it has largely remained a distinctively Irish denomination.
Recorded references to MacCloskey's go back as far as the sixteenth century, when a certain Sir David O Cluskey of Count Dublin was mentioned in the books dealing with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. A Catholic family by the name of MacCloskey, living in County Longford, is also documented and researched in Irish church records.
It is likely that MacCloskey's are still living in the Irish counties in which they historically settled, such as Laois, Waterford, and Longford. In addition, those born of MacCloskey's have probably spread out and can be found in other regions as well, both in Ireland and abroad.
Variations of the surname MacCloskey
The surname MacCloskey is an anglicization of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic ‘Mac Labhruis’ - from the male personal name Labhruis. Variants of this surname include:
MacLusky,
McLusky,
McClusky,
McCloskey,
MacCluskey,
Clukey,
Cloakey.
These variants of the surname can be found primarily in Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is particularly associated with Ulster where the earliest recorded mention of the surname is in 1609 in County Londonderry.
The labhrus root of the surname can also include other anglicized surnames such as:
Closky,
McCluskie,
MacClusky,
McLuskey,
McLuskye.
Some of the variants of the surname have also been historically found in areas such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.
Each of these forms of the surname can be traced back to the Gaelic Mac Labhruis but have undergone various changes in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries. This is not only because of the anglicization of Gaelic surnames, but also due to the lack of standardised spelling of many surnames before the 19th century.
Famous people with the name MacCloskey
- Stephen MacCloskey: Stephen MacCloskey is an American attorney and politician who served as a Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for ten years from 1997 to 2008. He is widely known for his environmental advocacy work.
- Jack MacCloskey: Jack MacCloskey is a famous retired basketball coach and athletic director who began his career at Penn State University. He also served as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons and had many other coaching positions during his career.
- John MacCloskey: John MacCloskey is a prominent American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of the Beaver Street Fishery Corporation, the largest shrimp company in the United States.
- Daniel MacCloskey: Daniel MacCloskey is an American film and television actor, best known for his roles in the Sex and the City franchise and the MTV comedy series Underemployed.
- David MacCloskey: David MacCloskey was a prominent lawyer and politician from Mobile, Alabama. He served as a judge in the 13th Judicial Circuit for over twenty years.
- Steve MacCloskey: Steve MacCloskey is a professional musician who is popularly known as one of the leading piano players on the island of Jamaica where he performs at many venues and clubs.
- Sam MacCloskey: Sam MacCloskey is a former professional baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also had a short stint with the Brooklyn Dodgers before his retirement in 1956.
- Gary MacCloskey: Gary MacCloskey is a former American football player who won the Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders in 1977. He primarily played as the team’s running back.
- Christina MacCloskey: Christina MacCloskey is an American figure skater who has competed in both singles and pairs. She competed in the World Figure Skating Championships in 2004 and 2005.
- Lynne MacCloskey: Lynne MacCloskey is an American voice actress known for her work in television, film, and video games. Her credits include voicing characters for shows like The Simpsons and Futurama.