Surname MacEvey - Meaning and Origin
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MacEvey: What does the surname MacEvey mean?
The MacEvey surname is of Scottish origin. It is thought to derive from the Clan MacAoidh, which is an old Gaelic surname that once meant "son of Aodh". This clan is believed to have originated on the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. The associated tartan is predominantly red and green.
The history of the MacEvey surname is not clear, but several theories point to a single source. One possibility is that the name originates from a place name, such as MacEvie, derived from the Gaelic MacEamhain (the son of Eamhain, meaning "one of the descendants of Éamhain Mhacha"). Another possibility is that the MacEvie surname was actually derived from another Gaelic surname, such as Mac Dhubh Shíth (meaning "son of the Black Wolf").
The MacEvey surname can be found throughout Scotland, Canada, and the United States. Many bearers of the name have achieved distinction and success, such as William MacEvey (a professional golfer and winner of the 1921 US Open) and Mairi MacEvey (an internationally acclaimed archaeologist and epigraphist).
In summary, the MacEvey surname has a deep and mysterious history, and there are several possible sources for its origin. Whether the name is derived from a place name, from another Gaelic surname, or from a nickname such as "son of the Black Wolf", there is no doubt that the bearers of this surname have achieved success throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEvey: Where does the name MacEvey come from?
The name MacEvey is most strongly associated with Scotland, where it is believed to have originated. It is believed to be an anglicized form of the Gaelic MacEabhaigh, which translates as “son of the grandson of Eabha”. The surname is also found in Northern Ireland among families who have Scottish ancestry.
Today, the surname MacEvey is most commonly found in Scotland, where it is present in all four corners of the country. The 2016 Scottish Census found more than 900 bearers of the surname. Outside of Scotland, the surname is fairly rare but is found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, and Australia, as well as in some parts of the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries.
The name MacEvey continues to be a common Scottish surname today and is recognized as a sept of the larger Clan Macgregor. It is typically found concentrated in the area around the Highland region of Scotland but is also well-represented in many other areas.
Variations of the surname MacEvey
The surname MacEvey is most commonly known as a surname of Irish origin. The most common spelling of this surname is Macéibhe, MacEibhe, MacAibhe or MacAyv in English, while in Irish it translates to MacAibhÍ. The surname is derived from the old Irish personal name Aibhe, meaning ‘noble’.
Variants of the surname MacEvey include MacEvey, McAvey, MacAvvy, MacAvey, MacAbee, MacEvie, McEvie, MacIvey, MacIvee, MacIvie, MacEvye, MacEby, MacEbie, MacKibbe and MacKeeve.
Alternate spellings and surnames of the same origin include Mac Aibhín (MacAibhin), MacAvish, MacAvy, MacEigg, MacEochaidh, MacKeegan, MacKiggan, MacKivney, MacKibbon, MacAbbie, MacOibhinn, MacGivia, MacGeever, MacGie, MacGhloyn, MacGinnis, MacGinniss, MacKeen, MacKerville, MacKeyvne, MacKinnen, and MacKinnop.
Many of these alternate and previous spellings of the name have disappeared, as people with the surname adopted different ways of spelling the name depending on where they lived and what language they spoke.
Famous people with the name MacEvey
- Donald MacEvey: Canadian ice hockey player for Kingsford High School and Portage Terriers in the MJHL.
- James MacEvey: Canadian actor known for his role in the musical We Will Rock You.
- Ann MacEvey: Canadian author and historian.
- Elizabeth MacEvey: American musical theater actress, best known for her roles in musicals such as Into the Woods and The Addams Family.
- Derek MacEvey: Canadian journalist and former television host and political correspondent for the CBC.
- Colleen MacEvey: American figure skater and world champion in 1981.
- Richard MacEvey: Canadian sculptor, best known for his work on the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa.
- Tony MacEvey: American professional wrestler and former two-time world champion in the NWA and ECW.
- Thomas MacEvey: American poet and playwright, known for his collections such as A Dance in the Twilight and The Moon is a Secluded Lady.
- Marjorie MacEvey: French-American sculptor and photographer, best known for her sculptures of notable figures such as French president Charles de Gaulle.