Everything here is heresay. I have no
documentation on it at all. If anyone
does, please submit it, and I will give you full credit for your
information.
The spelling started out as Mackelhaney, then changed to McElhaney over the years. This may help someone find what they are looking for. The Mackelhaneys came from Ireland. Many with this surname can be traced back to an area on the other side of Ireland, around Donegal and Derry.
One source says that the name is an anglicized rendering of the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla A/Ionnaidh, which means, literally, "son of a follower of Saint Canice." Saint Canice was a ninth century monk after whom the city and county of Kilkenny are named. Although, this is nowhere near the area of Donegal and Derry.
However, another source says that the surname comes from Mac Giolla Choinnigh, meaning "son of a rabbit hunter."
The family coat of arms is described as a white field with a
green hill at the bottom. on the hill is a completely red lion
(or wolf)...tail is up and front right paw is extended. Above the
lion/wolf is a castle with three battlements.
the far left and the far right tourets have bowmen on them. The
center tower is the tallest and crowned with a pointed top and a
cross.
Supposedly, the family motto is Vincit veritas, which is latin for "Truth will win."