Surname MacKildunn - Meaning and Origin
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MacKildunn: What does the surname MacKildunn mean?
The last name MacKildunn is of Scottish origin and is derived from the name MacKildon, which is a combination of the Gaelic words Mac and Cill Donn, which mean "son of the fair of Donn".
Donn is a Gaelic deity that symbolizes wisdom and protection, while Cill (or, Cille) means a cell, or a sacred area. Therefore, the combination of MacKildon came to refer to someone who was related to, or associated with, the fair of Donn.
This name can be found in several counties throughout Scotland, with the most prominent concentrations being found around Argyll and Loch Fyne, and near the city of Inverness. It is likely that the people who bear this surname originally lived close to sacred sites or sites of spiritual importance, such as believed holy wells.
It is possible that the people of MacKildunn shared a connection to a particular clan, or had relationships with other clans based on their spiritual affiliations. It can also be assumed that the people who bore this name were highly revered, possibly respected practitioners of the spiritual traditions that had incorporated Donn into their faith and celebrations.
In recent era, people who bear the MacKildunn name are either direct descendants of the original individuals or people who have adopted the name for various reasons. Regardless of the origin, the MacKildunn name continues to remain an important part of Scottish tradition and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKildunn: Where does the name MacKildunn come from?
The last name MacKildunn is most commonly seen today primarily in Scotland. It is believed that the first MacKildunn was a man called Donal who lived in the village of Appin, Scotland in the early 15th century. The MacKildunn clan can trace their roots back to their earliest ancestor Donal through the centuries. From Donal, the McKildunn's lived in the area of Appin before moving to other parts of Scotland and eventually other countries.
The MacKildunn have a unique, deep-rooted history in Scotland, one that has remained for centuries. Today, they are still living in Scotland, in both rural and urban areas. In Scotland, they are mainly concentrated in the Scottish Highlands and the towns of Dumbarton and Glasgow. There is also a strong presence of MacKildunn in Canada, Australia and the United States, as well as lesser concentrations in Ireland, England and other countries.
The MacKildunn today form part of a worldwide diaspora of diaspora with varied backgrounds and some of whom migrated to other countries in search of a new life. This vibrant diaspora is united, especially online, by a pride in their ancestral roots and in the MacKildunn legacy.
Variations of the surname MacKildunn
The surname MacKildunn has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames that all derive from the same origin. These variants can be used to trace a family’s genetic line.
One of the most common variants of the MacKildunn surname is MacKildon. This spelling is the Irish variant and was used primarily in the 1700s. In Scotland, many people adopted the spelling as Mackildon, and some families even adopted the spelling as McKildon.
Another common variant is Makildon. This spelling is used mainly in the United States. The spelling also has origins in Scotland as MacGildone, and is associated with the establishment of the Clan MacGildon from the Highlands.
In addition to the variant spellings, MacKildunn has a variety of surnames with similar origins. These include MacKinnon, which is the Scottish Gaelic spelling; McKildown, the Scottish lowland spelling; and MacGilvary, the Irish spelling.
While the original spelling of MacKildunn is commonly associated with the Irish and Scottish regions, it has spread to a variety of other countries as a result of immigration. As a result, alternate spellings of the surname can be seen in Australia, Canada, the United States, and other countries.
Ultimately, the MacKildunn surname, and its variants, spellings and surnames, are all associated with the same origin. Whether a family resides in Ireland, Scotland, or any other country, exploring their surname’s history can be a fascinating way to better understand their family tree.
Famous people with the name MacKildunn
- Gregg MacKildunn: American journalist and the executive editor of The New York Times.
- John MacKildunn: British actor and director, best known for playing intelligence operative Robert Farrar in the Sky One espionage drama series Strike Back.
- Joe MacKildunn: Canadian singer-songwriter, most well known for his songs “Dark And Blue” and “Stay Strong”.
- Jack MacKildunn: British footballer and former manager, the last club he managed was Burton Albion from 2016-2018.
- Lachlan MacKildunn: Australian rules footballer, currently playing for the Brisbane Lions.
- Grace MacKildunn: Australian actress, best known for her roles in the movies Imaginarium and We Could Be Royals.
- Fiona MacKildunn: Canadian professional snowboarder, three-time Olympic gold medalist.
- Anderson MacKildunn: American country music singer and songwriter, most well-known for his hit song “The Rose Of A Summer’s Day”.
- Isabel MacKildunn: British fashion designer, founder of the well-known fashion label Isabella MacKildunn.
- Rory MacKildunn: American film director, most notably directing the 2019 thriller film The Night Witches.