MACGILLECHIAR: 'son of the dusky lad,' from Gaelic ciar, dusky, Malcolm McGileker or McGilleker was priest of Lismore diocese in 1496 and 1502 (Poltalloch Writs, p. 71,183). M'Gillekeyrs were a sept under Campbell of Glenorchy to whom they gave a bond of manrent in 1547 owning him as their 'ken-kynie' (BBT., p. 185-186). The name also appears in the same record in the same year as Vclllekeyr, and James M'Lecheir in Ballemanauchtan was a Glenurquhay vassal in 1638 (ibid., p. 400). John Makgillekeir in Dulshane had a precept of remission for offences committed by him, 1503 (RSS., l, 956), Fenruhard McGillikeir appears as tenant in Strauidee, 1527 (Grant, III, p. 68), and Alane McGiilespik McCondochy of Ballemanoch had a respite in 1539 for the slaughter of vmqle Johne Mckilzichzere-sone (Trials, I, p. 233). John McIllchear or M'lllcheare in Ballechragan in Strabane, 1664 (BBT., p. 261). Donald M'llcher in Killean parish is in record, 1686 (Argyll), Malcolm M Ilchire in Altbe, parish of Kilcalmanell, 1684 and John M'llchurr in Auchacrassanbeg, parish of Kilfinan, 1697 (Argyll Inc.). Gilleker M'Mulich occurs in Strathtay, 1480. As MacGilker and MacKilgir it was an old Arran surname, now probably shortened in the island and elsewhere to Kerr. Ken-kynie, in Gaelic ceann cinnidh, means 'head of the race,' Latin caput progeni.