Mcelhiney Surname

Introduction

The surname McElhiney is a unique and intriguing surname that has a rich history and diverse distribution across different countries. In this article, we will explore the origins, meanings, and variations of the surname McElhiney, as well as its prevalence in various regions around the world.

Origins of the Surname McElhiney

The surname McElhiney is of Gaelic origin, derived from the Irish name Mac Giolla Chainnigh. The prefix "Mac" denotes "son of," while "Giolla Chainnigh" is a personal name that translates to "servant of St. Canice." St. Canice was a revered Irish saint who founded a monastery in Kilkenny, Ireland, in the 6th century.

As a surname, McElhiney indicates descent from a person who was a devotee or servant of St. Canice. The name likely originated in County Kilkenny or the surrounding areas in Ireland. Over time, the surname may have undergone various phonetic changes and anglicizations, resulting in different spellings and forms.

Variations of the Surname McElhiney

Like many Gaelic surnames, McElhiney has several variations and alternate spellings. Some common variations of the surname include MacElhiney, McElhinney, McElhinny, MacElhinny, and McElhenney. These variations may have emerged due to dialectal differences, historical influences, or clerical errors in documentation.

Despite the variations, all these forms of the surname can be traced back to the original Gaelic name Mac Giolla Chainnigh. Individuals with different spellings of the surname may still be related through a common ancestor who bore the original name.

Distribution of the Surname McElhiney

The surname McElhiney is relatively rare compared to more common surnames, but it has a notable presence in several countries. According to data on surname incidences, the distribution of the surname McElhiney is as follows:

United States: 873 incidences

In the United States, the surname McElhiney is most widely found, with 873 recorded incidences. The surname has likely spread across different states, with concentrations in areas where Irish immigrants settled in significant numbers.

Scotland: 17 incidences

In Scotland, the surname McElhiney is less common, with only 17 recorded incidences. The presence of the surname in Scotland may be attributed to historical migrations or intermarriages between Irish and Scottish families.

Canada: 8 incidences

Canada also has a small number of individuals with the surname McElhiney, with 8 recorded incidences. The surname may have been brought to Canada by Irish immigrants during the colonial period or later waves of migration.

England: 8 incidences

Similarly, England has 8 incidences of the surname McElhiney, reflecting a modest presence in the country. The surname may have been introduced to England through Irish settlers or individuals with Irish ancestry.

Australia: 4 incidences

In Australia, the surname McElhiney is relatively uncommon, with only 4 recorded incidences. The surname may have been carried to Australia by Irish convicts, settlers, or immigrants seeking new opportunities in the country.

Other Countries: 3 incidences

Outside of the major English-speaking countries, the surname McElhiney has limited incidences in countries like the Dominican Republic, Northern Ireland, and Ireland itself. These occurrences likely stem from specific historical events or individual migrations.

Conclusion

The surname McElhiney is a distinctive name with Gaelic origins that has spread to various countries around the world. Despite its relatively low frequency compared to more common surnames, McElhiney has a unique history and meaning that connects individuals bearing the name to a shared heritage and ancestry. As with many surnames, the distribution and prevalence of McElhiney reflect the movements of people, historical events, and cultural exchanges that have shaped the modern world.

The surname Mcelhiney in the world

Globalization has meant that surnames spread far beyond their nation of origin, such that it is possible to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The same occurs when it comes to Mcelhiney, which as you can corroborate, it may be stated that it's a surname which can be present in a lot of the nations regarding the world. Just as you can find countries by which definitely the density of people utilizing the surname Mcelhiney is more than far away.

The map associated with the Mcelhiney surname

View Mcelhiney surname map

The possibility of examining for a world map about which countries hold more Mcelhiney in the world, assists us a whole lot. By placing ourselves regarding the map, on a concrete nation, we are able to start to see the concrete amount of people with the surname Mcelhiney, to obtain this way the precise information of all of the Mcelhiney as you are able to currently get in that nation. All of this additionally helps us to comprehend not just where the surname Mcelhiney originates from, but also in what manner the people that are originally area of the family members that bears the surname Mcelhiney have relocated and relocated. In the same manner, you'll be able to see in which places they have settled and grown up, which is why if Mcelhiney is our surname, it appears interesting to which other nations for the globe it will be possible this one of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional Mcelhiney on the planet

  1. United States United States (873)
  2. Scotland Scotland (17)
  3. Canada Canada (8)
  4. England England (8)
  5. Australia Australia (4)
  6. Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (1)
  7. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (1)
  8. Ireland Ireland (1)