Show ContentsMcIlhinney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

On the Scottish west coast, the McIlhinney family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the Gaelic expression "the son of the servant Storm."

Early Origins of the McIlhinney family

The surname McIlhinney 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 McIlhinney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McIlhinney research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1428 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McIlhinney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McIlhinney Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. McIlhinney 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 McIlhinney family

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

Ireland Migration of the McIlhinney family to Ireland

Some of the McIlhinney 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.


Canada McIlhinney migration to Canada +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The McIlhinney were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

McIlhinney Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Hannah McIlhinney, aged 34, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Eleanor Gordon" in 1834

Contemporary Notables of the name McIlhinney (post 1700) +

  • Charles McIlhinney, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 2008 [2]


The McIlhinney 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.


  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)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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