Surname MacElduff - Meaning and Origin
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MacElduff: What does the surname MacElduff mean?
The last name MacElduff is a popular Scottish clan name. Originating in Ayrshire, the MacElduff name is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Duibh or “son of the servant of God”. In addition to being a popular name in the Ayrshire region, the name is also found throughout the rest of Scotland.
Early records indicate that the MacElduff clan were Gaelic speaking warriors who lived in Ayrshire roughly during the 12th century. During the 14th century, the MacElduff’s were involved in the Battle of Loudoun Hills. In this battle, there were no victors, but the MacElduff’s managed to remain an influential clan in their region until the 18th century.
Throughout a multitude of wars, the MacElduff’s were able to establish a reputation of honor and loyalty. To this day, the name MacElduff is renowned for its roots as a strong and dependable family of warriors.
The MacElduff name has survived over the centuries and is still a popular family name today. In modern times, those of the MacElduff clan continue to honor its tradition of loyalty and strength. Still residing predominantly in Ayrshire, the MacElduff family is a testament to Scotland’s proud history of strength in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisMacElduff: Where does the name MacElduff come from?
The last name MacElduff is most commonly found today in Ulster, the northernmost province of Ireland. It is a very ancient Scottish surname, first recorded in the 12th century, and may have originated in the area that is now the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The MacElduff surname has been common in the north of Ireland since the 16th century.
Today, the MacElduff surname is particularly prevalent in the counties of Antrim and Londonderry. These counties have numerous towns, villages, and hamlets which have become known as hotbeds of MacElduff activity.
In Antrim, the MacElduff surname is particularly common in the towns of Ballymena, Cullybackey, Muckamore, and Templepatrick. There are also a number of surrounding rural villages and hamlets which are known to have MacElduff residents.
In Derry, the MacElduff surname is thought to have originated in the villages of Clucam and Liscloon. The population of Clucam is particularly known for its large number of MacElduff residents.
The MacElduff surname can be found in other areas of Ireland and the UK; for example, in Scotland, England, and Wales. In Scotland, the name is most commonly found in Stirlingshire, Perthshire, and Argyllshire. In England, it is particularly common in Lancashire, especially in and around Preston. In Wales, it is mostly found in Monmouthshire.
Thus, the name MacElduff is now most commonly found in Ulster but has also spread throughout the British Isles. It is a testament to the legacy left behind by people of the same surname.
Variations of the surname MacElduff
The MacElduff surname originates from the Irish Gaelic name MacGiollaDubh, meaning “son of the black-haired one”. MacElduff is a variant spelling of the surname MacGiollaDubh and other spellings of this surname include MacGilvray, MacGillivray, Macilvrae and MacIlwraith.
The MacElduff surname can have numerous variants due to the nature of Irish surnames - many of which are derived from nicknames. As such, there are also variants such as MacIlduff, MacEltouff, MacGilduff and MacKilduff. An additional variant is also “MacKildow,” which can be found in Scotland.
The MacElduff surname is found throughout Northern Ireland and Scotland as well as other parts of the patriarchal world. It is also an uncommon Anglo-American surname.
Within the Irish diaspora, other surnames with similar roots and origins include MacAlduff, MacAlinden, MacEldowney, MacGildow, MacGoldie, MacKelvie, MacKendrick, MacQuade, MacQuillan and MacWilkie.
Several other surnames are believed to derived or evolve from the MacElduff naming such as the Scottish surnames “Kilduff,” “Meltuff,” and “Mulduff” as well as the Irish surnames McDonald, McDonnell and Dow. These surnames are traditionally Anglicized variants of the original MacElduff family name.
Famous people with the name MacElduff
- Mike MacElduff: Australian professional basketball player
- Iain MacElduff: Irish politician
- John MacElduff: Canadian politician
- Jack MacElduff: British Labour Co-op politician and Member of Parliament
- Brian MacElduff: Northern Irish lecturer, author and broadcaster
- Donal MacElduff: former Canadian politician
- Robert MacElduff: Australian film and television editor
- Billy MacElduff: former Scottish footballer
- Ben MacElduff: Canadian ice hockey player
- Scott MacElduff: Canadian computer animation and visual effects graphics technician
- Sean MacElduff: Northern Irish Sinn Féin politician
- Jim MacElduff: Northern Irish Loyalist politician
- Francis MacElduff: Canadian Major League Baseball player
- Russell MacElduff: Canadian Major League Baseball player
- Gunny MacElduff: Scottish professional footballer
- Angus MacElduff: Canadian professional wrestler
- Noelle MacElduff: Canadian curler
- Seamus MacElduff: Northern Irish DUP politician
- Peter MacElduff: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Allan MacElduff: former Canadian politician
- Joe MacElduff: former Scottish professional footballer
- Gary MacElduff: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Gordon MacElduff: former Canadian politician
- Harry MacElduff: former Scottish professional footballer
- Gordon MacElduff, Jr.: Canadian professional ice hockey player