McIlwraith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
The Hebrides islands and Western coastal mountains of Scotland were once part of the ancient kingdom of Dalriada. The name McIlwraith was born there, as a nickname for a young man with tanned skin or with tawny hair with darker streaks. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac 'Ille riabhaich, which means son of the brindled lad.
Early Origins of the McIlwraith family
The surname McIlwraith was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from very early times.
Early History of the McIlwraith family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McIlwraith research. Another 216 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1376, 1476, 1508 and 1526 are included under the topic Early McIlwraith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McIlwraith Spelling Variations
Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of McIlwraith include Macilreach, McIlreach, MacIlreath, McIlreath, Macilriach, McIlriach, Macilraith, McIlraith, Macilaraith, McIlaraith, Macilarith, McIlarith, Macilwraith, McIlwraith, Macilwraithe, McIlwraithe, MacIlwrathe, McIlwrathe, MacKilwrath, McKilwrath, MacKilwrathe, McKilwrathe, Macgfillreich, McFillreich, Macileriach, McIleriach, Macillrich, McIllrich, Macilurick, McIlurick, Macilwrick, McIlwrick, MacIlwrith, McIlwrith, MacIlrevie, McIlrevie, MacKilreve, McKilreve, MacKilrea, McKilrea, MacElrath, McElrath, MacElreath, McElreath, McElvrick, MacElvrick, McIllrie, MacIllrie, MacAlwraith, McAlwraith, Revie, McRevie and many more.
Early Notables of the McIlwraith family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early McIlwraith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the McIlwraith family to Ireland
Some of the McIlwraith family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McIlwraith migration to New Zealand +
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:
McIlwraith Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- Mr. William Mcilwraith, (b. 1819), aged 42, Irish farm labourer, from Antrim travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Rhea Sylvia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd May 1861 [1]
- Mr. William Mcilwraith, (b. 1841), aged 20, Irish farm labourer, from Antrim travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Rhea Sylvia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd May 1861 [1]
- Mr. Gilbert Mcilwraith, (b. 1843), aged 18, Irish farm labourer, from Antrim travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Rhea Sylvia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd May 1861 [1]
- Mr. Daniel Mcilwraith, (b. 1846), aged 15, Irish farm labourer, from Antrim travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Rhea Sylvia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 2nd May 1861 [1]
Contemporary Notables of the name McIlwraith (post 1700) +
- Dorothy McIlwraith, American editor of Weird Tales, an American fantasy and horror fiction pulp magazine from April 1940 to September 1954
- David McIlwraith, American actor, known for his roles in Millennium (1989), Hollow Man II (2006) and Cruel Intentions 2 (2000)
- John McIlwraith (1828-1902), Scottish-Australian manufacturer and ship owner, brother of Andrew and Thomas McIlwraith
- Arthur Renwick McIlwraith, Scottish Sheriff of south Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway
- Sir Thomas McIlwraith (1835-1900), Scottish-born, Australian politician, Premier of Queensland from 1877 to 1883
- John McIlwraith (d. 2006), Scottish-born, Canadian humorist, radio broadcaster, newspaper columnist, and commentator
- John McIlwraith (1857-1938), Australian cricketer who played in one Test in 1886
Historic Events for the McIlwraith family +
- Mr. Geoffrey J McIlwraith (b. 1920), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the sinking [2]
Related Stories +
The McIlwraith 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.
Citations +
Migration of the McIlwraith family to Ireland
McIlwraith migration to New Zealand +
