Show ContentsMcElveny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the McElveny family

The surname McElveny was first found in Dumfries where Thomas Makgilvane was a tenant under Douglas in the barony of Buittle in 1376. The name was derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Bheathain, meaning 'son of the servant of S. Beathin' (Bean). There are many spelling variations of the name due to the English translation from Gaelic. John Mcilmeyne was a witness in Dumfries in 1477 and Gilbert Makilmeyn de Grummat was listed here in 1503. [1]

Allan McYlveine de Grumet who appears as bailie of the Abbey of Crossraguel in 1523 is Alan Makilwene, juror on assize in the bailliary of Carrick in 1532. [1]

Early History of the McElveny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McElveny research. Another 236 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1526, 1546, 1547, 1566, 1569, 1570, 1574, 1627, 1628, 1674, 1764, 1790, 1797, 1814, 1818, 1831, 1843, 1853, 1871 and 1882 are included under the topic Early McElveny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McElveny Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacIlvean, MacIlvane, MacIlvenna, MacIlwain, MacIlwaine and many more.

Early Notables of the McElveny family

More information is included under the topic Early McElveny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the McElveny family to Ireland

Some of the McElveny family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 191 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McElveny family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: James, John, Neil, Patrick, William MacIlvain all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; Alexander, Charles, Daniel, John, Mary, Owen MacIlvaine all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.



  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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