Perhaps not surprisingly this famous Irish surname is recorded in many spellings. Deriving from the ancient Gaelic pre 10th century 'Mac giolla Chuda', which translates as 'the son of the follower of St Mochda', these spellings include MacGillacuddy, MacGillicuddy, McGillicuddy, McGillycuddy, MacCuddy, Gillicuddy, Gillycuddy, Cody, Cuddy, and even Archdeacon! The surname originates from County Kerry and is much associated with MacGillycuddy's Reeks, the highest mountain chain in Ireland, and named after the clan.
This in itself is very unusual. Most locational surnames are the other way around, the placename preceeding the surname, often by many centuries. In addition the clan is one of the few Irish clans which follow or at least have retained the title for the chief of 'MacGillycuddy of the Reeks'. In Scotland it would have been 'of that Ilk' but the concept is the same. It seems however that the clan only adopted its name in the 16th century, which begs the question as to what the mountains were called before that date? It seems that previous to about 1550 they were a branch of the O'Sullivan Mor clan. By the end of that century the MacGillyuddys were the principle landowners in the baronies of Dunkerron and Magunity. Amongst the earliest known nameholders was Colonel Denis MacGillycuddy, who it is said, commanded an Irish Brigade in the French Army of 1680.
The history of the surname mcgillicuddy is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of mcgillicuddy. Research into the possible origins of mcgillicuddy leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname mcgillicuddy is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of mcgillicuddy.
It is common for surnames like mcgillicuddy to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. There is a considerable probability that mcgillicuddy has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where mcgillicuddy is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname mcgillicuddy provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
The historical journey of the surname mcgillicuddy can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of mcgillicuddy. The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named mcgillicuddy are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname mcgillicuddy, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of mcgillicuddy developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname mcgillicuddy.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname mcgillicuddy, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of mcgillicuddy could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about mcgillicuddy and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all mcgillicuddys who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname mcgillicuddy, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname mcgillicuddy were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname mcgillicuddy, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname mcgillicuddy who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname mcgillicuddy. The bibliography collects information related to the surname mcgillicuddy, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of mcgillicuddy are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of mcgillicuddy.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of mcgillicuddy, and at the same time, of surnames in general.