870 Global MCILRATH Family Members

MCILRATH Family History

Recorded in many spellings of which the most popular are probably McElrath, McIlrath, McIIwrath, and McIlwraith, this clan surname is of early and confused Scottish origins. It derives from the Gaelic Mac gille Riabhaich, and translates literally as the son of the follower (gille) of the brindled one! As to who the brindled one was is not proven, but he may have been a holy man, since "gille" can mean servant, but more usually in ancient times described a friend or follower. It is said to be the most widespread Scottish surname compounded with "gille", and is particularly popular both in Galloway on the South-West coast , far north throughout the Highlands, as well as in Northern Ireland.