Map of Ireland showing where the Mcgill arms are recorded
The Mcgill arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1677.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Ireland when the Mcgill arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Mcgill Family in Ireland
The surname McGill is rooted in the Gaelic language, originating from the name Mac an Ghoill, which translates to "son of the stranger" or "son of the foreigner." This name was historically used to identify individuals who were not native to a specific Gaelic clan territory, often referring to settlers from Scandinavia or other parts of Britain. By the late seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Dublin, as evidenced by records from 1677. During this era, Dublin was a rapidly growing center of trade and administration, attracting families from across the Irish countryside and beyond. Members of the McGill family likely integrated into the city’s urban economy, contributing to the professional and merchant classes that defined the capital during the Restoration period. Their presence in the city archives during this time highlights the family's transition from rural origins to the evolving social landscape of seventeenth-century Dublin.
Mcgill Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac an Ghoill
Son of the stranger or foreigner.
This name
McgillRefers to a descendant of a person who was considered an outsider or foreigner.
also spelled
Magill
Macgyl
Makgil
McGill
Gill
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Records of the Dublin City Assembly, 1677
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