Surname MacFayden - Meaning and Origin
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MacFayden: What does the surname MacFayden mean?
The last name MacFayden is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Fhàidhinn, meaning “son of Fhàidhinn”. Fhàidhinn is an old Gaelic literary term which refers to a wise man or seer. The MacFaydens likely started as a sept of the Clan MacNeil, of the famed Clan Ranald. MacNail is an ancient Scottish clan from the kingdom of the Isles and the leading branch of the southern branch of the great Clan Donald.
The MacFayden’s and their allies the McLeods aided Robert the Bruce in the wars of Independence in Scotland in the late 1200’s and early 1300’s. As a reward, Bruce granted the MacFayden’s the lands of Ulva in the Inner Hebrides in 1320. The MacFaydens of Ulva were able to hold onto this territory until the mid-seventeenth century.
When the Clan chiefs were forced to sign over their lands to private owners, the MacFaydens relocated to Harris, another of the isles belonging to the Clan Ranald, and some families ended up in other parts of the Highlands and these became dispersed throughout Scotland. The MacFaydens today can be found living throughout Scotland, with a noticeable presence in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, where many have settled as part of Scotland’s military during the eighteenth century.
The MacFayden’s are an old and proud clan, steeped in the history of Scotland with a great sense of loyalty and honour, and a determination to meet life’s challenges.
Order DNA origin analysisMacFayden: Where does the name MacFayden come from?
The last name MacFayden is predominantly found today in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name is likely derived from the Irish Gaelic word "mac," meaning son, along with the Scottish surname "Fay," meaning courage or bravery.
In Scotland, records of the name MacFayden date back to the 18th century. It is listed as a surname of Clan Mackay, with the earliest recording dating back to 1549 in the estates of Sir Donald Mackay, Lord Reay. In 1783, John MacFayden was listed in the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland. Today, the name is still most commonly found in the Highlands and the Hebrides.
In Ireland, the MacFayden name is derived from the Gaelic Ó Fáidhín. This name means son of Fáidhín, an anglicized form of the personal name Fádh, which means poet or philosopher. The MacFayden name has been found in County Mayo since the 19th century.
In the United States, most MacFaydens are believed to be of Scottish or Irish descent. The earliest recorded use of the name was in 1783 when John MacFayden is listed in a New York census. Today, there are thousands of people with the surname MacFayden throughout the United States.
The MacFayden surname is also found in Canada and Australia, indicating a history of emigration from Scotland and Ireland. Emigrant families of the MacFayden name are believed to have settled in these countries by the mid-19th century.
Today, there are an estimated 7,000 people with the MacFayden surname throughout the world. The highest concentrations are still found in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname MacFayden
The surname MacFayden has several variants in spelling and some other surnames from the same origin. The common spellings of the name are MacFayden, MacFadden, MacFadin, MacFadyn, MacFaden, MacFaddin and McFaddin. Other surnames with a similar origin are MacFarlane, McFarlane, and McFadin.
The origin of the surname MacFayden is thought to have evolved from Scotland and Ireland where it is believed to have emerged in the 13th century. Rather than being a single family name, MacFayden is actually composed of two Gaelic words - Mac Faoitigh and Mac Eachainn. Both words mean 'son of the man of faith'.
While the spelling of MacFayden doesn't mean to refer to a religion, it can convey a certain sense of spirituality. It's an interesting reminder of ancestors who were devoted to their faith or a sign of appreciation for those qualities.
The formal roots of MacFayden suggest a long and likely multi-faceted history for the surname. Although, the exact origin of the surname is unknown, the evolutions of spelling point to it's long-held Celtic and Gaelic influence. It's likely that the original ancestors of MacFayden spread out from Scotland and Ireland into other parts of the British Isles where the spelling of the surname changed over time.
The surname MacFayden is likely to have spread to other parts of the world, like North America, South Africa, and Australia. As people moved these other countries, the spelling of the surname would have adapted according to the local dialect making it even more varied and interesting. The many spellings and other surnames of MacFayden suggest a rich history, and lengthy heritage, from Scotland and Ireland.
Famous people with the name MacFayden
- Colin MacFayden: an American actor, writer and producer best known for his roles in TV shows like The Newsroom and House of Cards.
- Saoirse MacFayden: an Irish-American actress, best known for playing Meredith Grey in the TV series Grey’s Anatomy.
- Hugh MacFayden: a British actor, best known for his roles in the films Notting Hill and Love Actually.
- Alexander MacFayden: a Scottish actor, best known for playing King Edward IV in the BBC drama The White Princess.
- David MacFayden: an English actor, comedian and filmmaker, known for his roles in the movies Submarine and The World’s End.
- Emma MacFayden: an Australian actress, best known for her roles in the films Wanted and Insidious.
- Niall MacFayden: an Irish actor, known for playing DJ McGlynn in the TV series Father Ted.
- Ross MacFayden: an American actor, best known for his roles in the films Speed and Grease.
- Seána MacFayden: an Irish actress, best known for her roles in the TV series The Tudors and Survivor.
- Alastair MacFayden: a Scottish actor, known for his roles in the movies Mirrormask and Hanna.