McIlhany comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and
Hebrides islands. The name comes from the Gaelic expression "the son of the servant Storm."
Early Origins of the McIlhany family
The surname McIlhany 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 and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
Early History of the McIlhany family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McIlhany research.
Another 227 words (16 lines of text) covering the year 1428 is included under the topic Early McIlhany History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McIlhany Spelling Variations
The 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 McIlhany 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 McIlhany family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early McIlhany Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the McIlhany family to Ireland
Some of the McIlhany family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 198 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 McIlhany family to the New World and Oceana
Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American
War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through
Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name McIlhany or a variant listed above: James MacAloonie who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1868; Denis, James, Pat and Thomas MacAloon all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.
Contemporary Notables of the name McIlhany (post 1700)
- W. J. W. McIlhany, American Democrat politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri, 1860 [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
The McIlhany Motto
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.