Surname MacConchy - Meaning and Origin
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MacConchy: What does the surname MacConchy mean?
The last name MacConchy is a variant of the Irish MacConchaidh, which is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Conchaidh, meaning "son of Conchaidh". Conchaidh itself has several possible roots, but the most likely of these is from the Gaelic word 'conchobhar', meaning "hound of the plain".
The MacConchy surname was mostly historically found in Scotland in the counties of Argyll, Perthshire, and Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is thought to have first arisen in Scotland following the Norman Invasion of 1066. The surname has gradually been Anglicized over time to the current MacConchy spelling.
Outside of Scotland, the MacConchy surname can be found in the United States. It is thought to have been brought over by immigrants who came over in the 1700s. Now, individuals with the MacConchy surname can be found in various parts of the country.
The MacConchy name is still quite rare, however, with fewer than two hundred individuals in the United States bearing it today. Nevertheless, it is an interesting example of a surname that has been carried down over centuries and has retained a strong connection to its original language and origin.
Order DNA origin analysisMacConchy: Where does the name MacConchy come from?
Today, the last name MacConchy is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland. Scotland in particular, has a long and rich association with the name. While some modern bearers of the last name have emigrated to other parts of the world, the majority of them still remain in Scotland, especially in areas of highland Scotland.
In Scotland, a lot of the MacConchy name comes from the Clan MacConchie, who were a clan from Clackmannanshire in the Lowlands. Currently, there are various interesting variations of the name, such as MacConchie, MacConachie and MacConnachie. There is evidence to suggest a relationship between the name MacConchy and the Irish MacAnChu, meaning ‘son of the hound’.
The MacConchy family is quite an old lineage with many notable members, such as Aeneas MacConchies of Clanyeolour, who was a notable 17th century poet. John Macconchie, who founded the first nursery garden in 18th century Edinburgh, is also an ancestor to be proud of.
Although most bearers of the name MacConchy are Scottish at heart, this doesn't stop them from moving around the world and still being proud of their heritage. With the increase in global travel, and the number of families bearing the name, it is likely that this last name will continue to be heard around the world to this day.
Variations of the surname MacConchy
The surname MacConchy is a variation of the Irish surname Mac Conchuibh or Mac Conchaidh. It is an Anglicized spelling of the original Gaelic version of the surname, which is Mac Conchuidh. The Mac prefix denotes “son of” whatever the original ancestor's name was. The Conchuidh part of the surname is derived from the Gaelic term “conchaire,” which means an “ally or champion.”
The variations of MacConchy include MacCanchy, MacCance, MacConchie, MacKonchy, and MacConchaidh. Other spellings incorporate a second Gaelic nickname for the original ancestor, such as Mac Conaill, which would make the surname Mac Conaill Chaidh, or MacConaillchy.
The surnames of similar origin but with slight variants in spelling are also quite common, such as MacConohy, MacConchy, and MacConkey.
It should be noted that the variation of the surname Mac Caunche, is not related to MacConchy and is derived from a separate Gaelic surname, which is the plural form of Cuanach, which means “beautiful” in Gaelic.
Overall, the surname Mac Conchuidh is believed to have originated in the area of Ulster, Ireland with various versions of the name emerging throughout the country and abroad.
Famous people with the name MacConchy
- Alistair MacConchy: British composer primarily famous for his works for orchestras, operas, and chamber ensembles.
- Charles MacConchy: Royal Navy Rear Admiral who worked from the mid-19th century to the early 1900s.
- Clement MacConchy: British Army officer and barrister notable for having assisted in the development of the Military Cross medal in 1914.
- Dame Jean MacConchy: British mathematician who worked extensively in algebraic geometry.
- Jessie Macconachy: British entrepreneur who founded the leather goods company Conacher & Co.
- Philip MacConchy: generally credited as the inventor of the 'Safety Bicycle', a two-wheeled vehicle commonly used during the 19th century.
- Robert MacConchy: surgeon from Scotland who served in the British Army during the Crimean War.
- Thomas MacConchy: British engineering inventor also known for having designed the 'Standardext No.1' electric motor that was used to power the first practical electric lifts in 1881.
- William MacConchy: leading British legal scholar of international law during the late 19th century.