McIlraith

Recorded in many varied spelling forms including Macilriach, Macilraith, Macgillreich, Macilwrick, Macillrick, Macilurick and the short form of Revie, this is a surname of Gaelic Scottish origins. It derives from the pre 10th century 'Mac gille Riabhaich', meaning 'The son of of the brindled man'. Gaelic clan surnames are usually a form of nickname associated with the personal appearance of the original chief, and this is a good example. It probably refers to a person with grey hair and brown skin. The surname is widespread in the Galloway region, as well as Northern Ieland and the Highlands of Scotland. It is first recorded in about 1330 as shown below, and other examples of early recordings include Thomas M'Gilrewy, a tenant of the Clan Douglas, in the barony of Buittle in 1376; Donald Makgillereoch, a witness at Cawdor in 1485, and Duncan McGillereach of Fandownyach in1503). The spelling as Revie seems to originate from the Dumfries area, and may derive directly from the very earliest spelling as shown below, or as a fused form of Makilreve, a Duncan Makilreve being recorded in 1539. In Kilmuir, Isle of Skye, there is a place called Baile Mhic Illeriabhaich, or the township of the Macgilleriabhachs. These lands belonged to the Macilwraiths, and a bond of manrent was signed between them and the MacDonalds, the Lords of the Isles, at Castle Camus, Skye, on August 13th 1632. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Make Gille Reve. This was dated 1300, when he was a Scottish hostage who died at Carlisle prison. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop," often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.