Surname MacFee - Meaning and Origin

MacFee: What does the surname MacFee mean?

The last name MacFee is of Scottish origin and derives from the Gaelic personal name "Fionnlagh" which means "white warrior". The name begins with 'Mac' or ‘Mc’ which is a prefix of Gaelic origins that means ‘son of’, hence 'MacFee' would suggest 'son of Fee'. The ‘Fee’ part derives from ‘Fionn’ meaning 'white' or ‘fair’ and ‘laoch’ standing for ‘warrior’. Therefore, MacFee essentially translates to “son of the white warrior”. It's a common feature for Celtic and Gaelic surnames to incorporate this structure, giving insight into lineage. Like many surnames, over the years the original spelling has seen many alterations and MacFee could have variations including MacFie, MacPhee, MacPhie, and others. This surname is most commonly associated with the Hebrides region in Scotland.

MacFee: Where does the name MacFee come from?

The last name MacFee is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Dhuibhshíthe," which means "black peace." It's a patronymic name, meaning it was originally formed by adding "Mac," which means "son of," to the name of a person's father.

The MacFees were a part of Clan Macfie, one of the oldest Scottish clans from the Inner Hebrides, particularly associated with the islands of Colonsay and Oronsay. The clan fell from power during the 17th century and many members dispersed, which is how the surname spread.

Today, the surname is most common in countries that have seen significant Scottish diaspora. This includes the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. However, it's still relatively rare and is not one of the most common Scottish surnames. A variant of the name is also spelled as "MacPhee." In Scotland itself, particularly in places associated with Clan Macfie like the Inner Hebrides, the surname can still be found.

Variations of the surname MacFee

The surname MacFee is of Scottish origin which refers to 'son of'. It has several variants and spellings due to regional differences, pronunciation, anglicization or translation. Variants and alternative spellings include MacFie, McFee, Macphee, McFie, MacPhie, Maffie, Maffey, MacPhee, McPhee, and MacDuffie.

Sometimes, variations were created due to a mistake in the transcription of census information or immigration documents. Early records also display surnames as MacDuffie or Duffie, from Dubhshith which means "black one of peace". Some families may have further changed their surnames upon relocation or immigration – for instance, to the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries – making it hard to trace.

It's worthy to note that surnames were often spelled phonetically in early documents and records, contributing to the variety of forms we see today. Furthermore, Mac, Mc, M' and others all indicate 'son of' in Gaelic, which makes linkages to other surnames with these prefixes possible.

Consider working with a professional genealogist to ensure accurate results while tracing the ancestry of a particular surname.

Famous people with the name MacFee

• Alan MacFee: A Canadian radio and TV personality, Alan MacFee is best known for being the host of the popular CBC television show The Alan Thicke Show.
• Jim MacFee: An American country music singer and songwriter, Jim MacFee rose to fame in the 1970s and 80s and had several hit singles.
• Angus MacFee: Angus MacFee is a Canadian law professor who is recognized for his writing on legal reforms, labour law, and judicial behaviour.
• Larry MacFee: Larry MacFee is a British professional polo player who has won multiple championships in tournaments around the world.
• Karen MacFee: Karen MacFee is a Canadian actress who is best known for her roles in feature films like Curtains and Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice.
• Herbert MacFee: Herbert MacFee was a Canadian politician who held a number of Cabinet posts in the Government of Saskatchewan from 1956 to 1968.
• Donald MacFee: Donald MacFee is a former professor of philosophy perhaps most famous for his book The Problem of Evil: A Philosophical Exploration.
• Heather MacFee: Heather MacFee is a bestselling author and screenwriter from Canada whose works have been optioned for film and television.
• Gordon MacFee: Gordon MacFee is a Canadian historian and professor of Canadian history at the University of Saskatchewan who has written extensively on the 19th century in Canada.
• Howard MacFee: Howard MacFee was an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1971.

Other surnames

MacFeadMacFearsonMacFeatMacFeaterMacFeelyMacFeetMacFergusMacferlantMacFerrenMacFerrinMacFersonMacFetridge