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 431 words (31 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 53 words (4 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 McIlwraith 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 McIlwraith or a variant listed above: John McIllreavy landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846; Archibald McIllree landed there in 1832; William McIlrea landed in Philadelphia in 1834.
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
- John McIlwraith (d. 2006), Scottish-born, Canadian humorist, radio broadcaster, newspaper columnist, and commentator
- Sir Thomas McIlwraith (1835-1900), Scottish-born, Australian politician, Premier of Queensland from 1877 to 1883
- 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 [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
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.