McGillis

McGillis is a surname of Gaelic origin, most likely a variant of Mac Giolla, a patronymic form meaning “son of the devotee” or “son of the servant” of a saint or religious figure. The element Giolla derives from Gaelic giolla, meaning “youth” or “servant,” and Mac Giolla yields several Anglicized spellings, including McGill, Gillis, Gill, and McGillis. The form McGillis reflects regional phonetic changes and clerical spelling practices in Scotland and Ulster, and is found among descendants of Gaelic-speaking communities in North America.

In terms of distribution, McGillis is most often associated with Scotland and Ireland, particularly Ulster, and has spread through emigration to Canada and the United States since the 18th century. Within those countries, bearers of the name are part of broader Scottish- and Irish-descended populations, with historical concentrations in areas where Gaelic communities persisted.

As a surname, McGillis is carried by multiple individuals across various professions, including law, education, athletics, and the arts. It does not denote a single famous person, but rather a family name shared by many unrelated lineages. Genealogical research into the McGillis name typically involves tracing Mac Giolla lineages, parish records in Scotland and Ulster, and immigration and census data in North America.

See also: McGill, Gillis, Gill, Gillies.