McIlhaney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name McIlhaney is the Gaelic expression "the son of the servant Storm."
Early Origins of the McIlhaney family
The surname McIlhaney was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.
Early History of the McIlhaney family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McIlhaney research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1428 is included under the topic Early McIlhaney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
McIlhaney Spelling Variations
The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years McIlhaney has appeared as MacAloney, McAloney, MacAlonie, McAlonie, MacIlhenny, McIlhenny, MacIlhinny, McIlhinny, MacIlhiney, McIlhiney, MacIlhinney, McIlhinney, MacIldowney, McIldowney, MacIldownie, McIldownie, MacGilloney, McGilloney, MacGillonie, McGillonie, MacAlloon, McAlloon, MacAlooni, McAlooni, MacElheaney, McElheaney, MacElhiney, McElhiney, MacElhinney and many more.
Early Notables of the McIlhaney family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early McIlhaney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the McIlhaney family to Ireland
Some of the McIlhaney family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 100 words (7 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 McIlhaney family
Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The McIlhaney were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: James MacAloonie who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1868; Denis, James, Pat and Thomas MacAloon all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.
Contemporary Notables of the name McIlhaney (post 1700) +
- Sidney McIlhaney, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Monroe County Democratic Party, 1949 
Related Stories +
The McIlhaney 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: Aonaibh ri cheile
Motto Translation: Unite.