The surname McIlmoil comes from the original Irish Mac Giolla Mhaoil, (devotee of St. Michael) from "maol" meaning tonsured or bald. [1]
The surname McIlmoil was first found in County Monaghan. The McElmoyle variants are distinct and are found in Antrim and Derry. [2] Over in Scotland, records are quite late as in "Mc illemayll 1636. Mary Ncllvoil, 1704, appears in 1706 as Mor Nclllimoile." [3] However, the same source notes an earlier spelling of "M'Ilmoil (M'Gille Mhaoil). An Islay surname now sometimes rendered [as] Bell. Donald M'Gillemoyll was a sufferer from the hership of Petty in 1502, and John Makmul was bowman in Lochalsh, 1548." [3] Furthermore,we would be sadly remiss if we did not mention the connection to the MacMillan family. The latter name was derived from the Gaelic name MacMhaolain or MacGhilleMhaoil, meaning "son of the bald or tonsured one." [3]
Both distinguished authors cited here, one noting Irish heritage, the other Scottish do however, agree in the Gaelic meaning of the surname.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McIlmoil research. More information is included under the topic Early McIlmoil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations of this family name include: MacIlmoyle, MacElmoyle, McIlmoyle, MacIlmoil and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early McIlmoil Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Elizabeth McIlmoyal, who was bound out as a servant in Philadelphia in 1773; John McEmoil, who settled in South Carolina in 1796; William McElmoyle, who was naturalized in Charleston, South Carolina in 1807.