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![Show Contents]() McElhaney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland Scotland
The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name McElhaney is the Gaelic expression "the son of the servant Storm." Early Origins of the McElhaney familyThe surname McElhaney was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from early times. One of the first records of the family was "Celestine Mac Alowne [who] received a grant of Balemakinrain (now Ballikinrain) in the earldom of Lennox from his kinsman Donald, earl of Lennox, c. 1333-1364. John Macalowne [appeared on an] inquest at Nam in 1431. " 1 Early History of the McElhaney familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McElhaney research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1428 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McElhaney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McElhaney Spelling VariationsThe translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years McElhaney has appeared as MacAloney, McAloney, MacAlonie, McAlonie, MacIlhenny, McIlhenny, MacIlhinny, McIlhinny, MacIlhiney, McIlhiney, MacIlhinney, McIlhinney, MacIldowney, McIldowney, MacIldownie, McIldownie, MacGilloney, McGilloney, MacGillonie, McGillonie, MacAlloon, McAlloon, MacAlooni, McAlooni, MacElheaney, McElheaney, MacElhiney, McElhiney, MacElhinney and many more. Early Notables of the McElhaney familyMore information is included under the topic Early McElhaney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McElhaney RankingIn the United States, the name McElhaney is the 5,333rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 2  Migration of the McElhaney family to Ireland
Some of the McElhaney family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 100 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| McElhaney migration to the United States | + |
Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The McElhaney were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown:
McElhaney Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Rebacca McElhaney, aged 43, who arrived at Youngstown, Ohio, in 1914
- James McElhaney, aged 43, who settled in America from London, England, in 1920
- Mary S. Mc Elhaney, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1923 aboard the ship "Araguaya" from Bermuda 3
| Contemporary Notables of the name McElhaney (post 1700) | + |
- Bud McElhaney, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from North Carolina 2nd District, 1986
- James W. McElhaney, American lawyer and educator, Joseph C. Hostetler Professor Emeritus of Trial Practice and Advocacy at Case Western Reserve University's School of Law
- Douglas L. McElhaney, American diplomat, Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (2004 to 2007)
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Aonaibh ri cheile
Motto Translation: Unite.
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McElhaney migration to the United States 
