Surname Mallereigh - Meaning and Origin
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Mallereigh: What does the surname Mallereigh mean?
The last name Mallereigh is of Scottish origin, originating from the region of Aberdeenshire in Scotland. Originally, the name was a place-name, likely coming from the Gaelic words "Maol" meaning bald or bare and "Rath", meaning a fort. It is believed that the first people to bear the name Mallereigh were likely people who lived near an area known as the "Bald Fort".
The presence of Mallereigh as a surname in Scotland likely dates back to the 12th century. It is believed that the first person to use Mallereigh as a surname was a man named John Mouseregh, who was believed to have been from the parish of Auchterless in Aberdeenshire. From there, this particular surname began to be passed down through generations of families as a form of hereditary surnames.
Mallereigh as a surname is considered to be an occupational or toponymic surname, due to its origin being linked to a physical location. Today, it is a fairly common surname in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland and is also seen in Ireland, the United States, and elsewhere. It is likely that descendant of John Mouseregh have spread the surname far and wide over the centuries, making it possible for people of all different ancestries to bear the name Mallereigh.
Order DNA origin analysisMallereigh: Where does the name Mallereigh come from?
The last name Mallereigh is most commonly found in the United States of America. Specifically, the highest concentrations of the name can be found in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Within these states, most people who have the name are of French-Canadian ancestry, and the name is thought to have originated in France in the 1600s.
In terms of population, there are around 650 people in the United States today who have the last name Mallereigh. Of these people, the largest concentration is in North Dakota, with a population of almost 200 people living there with the surname. South Dakota is next, with just over 100 people having the last name. Additionally, census data from the mid-2010s detailed around 40 people in Minnesota and 30 people in Wisconsin who had the last name.
The spelling of the last name has changed over time. Various spellings have been seen on historical records and maps, including Mallaray, Mallarayagh, Mallaryghe, and Malleriegh. Additionally, it is believed that the origin of the last name is based on the Latin word for marl, 'malum'. This word was often used to describe a type of soil that was common across Europe in the Middle Ages.
Overall, the last name Mallereigh is most common today in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It is believed to have originated in France in the 1600s, and spelling of the name has changed over time.
Variations of the surname Mallereigh
Mallereigh is an Irish surname originating from the Gaelic O Maolraith, which can be translated as "one who traveled in the territory of the followers of Raith". Variants of the surname include Malreigh, Mallraith, Mallraie, MacRaith, MacRae, MacRaigh, and O’Malry.
The earliest record of the surname was in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. In the early 1600s, the first known record of the surname was Donnel Mc Gille Rahie, who is said to be the progenitor of the Malreigh family. He is said to have taken the Aghnamullen townland on the western side of Lough Neagh, and his descendants spread throughout Counties Fermanagh, Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal, Derry and Monaghan.
In Scotland, variants of the surname are Spellar, Malary, and MacSpeller. These spellings are believed to be based on Clan Maelasdail of the Medieval Scottish Highlands, who were of Norse-Gaelic origin.
In England, the name is believed to be derived from the Old English word 'mara', which means 'a pool or ditch', and this is reflected in the early English variants Malreigh, Mallraith, Mallrary. In the United States, the name can also be spelled as Malray and Mallary.
The Malreigh surname is a strong Irish family name with growing international presence. People with these names can be found in almost every corner of the world. Whether you spell it as Malreigh, Malraith, or Mallary, it's a unique and proud family name that has been passed down through generations.
Famous people with the name Mallereigh
- Mia Mallereigh: an Australian novelist and also a celebrity lifestyle blogger.
- Anna Mallereigh: the award-winning au pair who achieved international fame for her work in promotingwomen's rights and educational equality in her own home country.
- Sean Mallereigh: a Grammy-award winning DJ and producer from Australia.
- Gerald Mallereigh: a member of the House of Lords and former high-ranking government official, who serves as a patron of many charities across the UK.
- Lawrence Mallereigh: a famous British actor, best known for his roles in the movies Braveheart and The Cruise.
- Mercedes Mallereigh: the six-time ballet world champion.
- Ramona Mallereigh: a renowned opera singer who has toured the world extensively.
- Judson Mallereigh: an acclaimed fashion designer from Britain, who is well-known for his bold and daring designs.
- Jade Mallereigh: a British TV presenter and former beauty pageant competitor.
- Michael Mallereigh: an Australian politician currently serving as the Deputy Prime Minister.