The surname McIlmoil comes from the original Irish Mac Giolla Mhaoil, (devotee of St. Michael) from "maol" meaning tonsured or bald.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)Early Origins of the McIlmoil family
The surname McIlmoil was first found in County
Monaghan. The McElmoyle variants are distinct and are found in Antrim and Derry.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3) Over in
Scotland, records are quite late as in "Mc illemayll 1636. Mary Ncllvoil, 1704, appears in 1706 as Mor Nclllimoile."
[3]CITATION[CLOSE]
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) 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
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) 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
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)Both distinguished authors cited here, one noting Irish heritage, the other Scottish do however, agree in the Gaelic meaning of the surname.
Early History of the McIlmoil family
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McIlmoil Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: MacIlmoyle, MacElmoyle, McIlmoyle, MacIlmoil and many more.
Early Notables of the McIlmoil family (pre 1700)
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Migration of the McIlmoil family to the New World and Oceana
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.
The McIlmoil 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: Dieu Garda Le Moyle
Motto Translation: God protects the mule .