MacGilleMhoire

MacGilleMhoire is a Scottish Gaelic patronymic surname that originated in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The name is derived from the Gaelic elements *mac* meaning “son of,” *gille* meaning “lad” or “servant,” and *Mhoire*, the genitive form of *Mòrag*, “Mary.” Thus the surname literally translates to “son of the servant of Mary.”

The MacGilleMhoire family was historically associated with the clan MacLeod, who held lands on the Isle of Skye and the mainland of Wester Ross. Genealogical records from the 15th and 16th centuries record the use of the name in the region, and the spelling variations MacGillimor, MacGillemor, and McGillimor appear in parish registers and land deeds. In later centuries, families bearing the name migrated southward to the lowland cities of Inverness and Glasgow in search of economic opportunities.

Throughout Scottish history, several individuals with the surname MacGilleMhoire have played roles in local governance and the unionist movement. Notable bearers include John MacGilleMhoire, a 19th‑century landwardkeeper on Skye, and Robert MacGilleMhoire, a 20th‑century advocate for the preservation of Gaelic culture in Inverness.

The surname persists today among descendants in Scotland and the Scottish diaspora in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Contemporary bearers of the name generally retain a strong sense of Gaelic heritage, evidenced by participation in clan societies and cultural festivals. The MacGilleMhoire lineage thus represents a microcosm of broader Highland Gaelic migration, linguistic history, and cultural continuity.