Surname MacFeely - Meaning and Origin

MacFeely: What does the surname MacFeely mean?

The last name MacFeely is derived from the Irish Gaelic form of the name, Mac an Fhíodhlaigh, which translates to "son of the bald one." In the earlier times in Ireland, the MacFeely name was associated with Gaelic clans from Connaught and Clare. The MacFeely family traces its origins to the 12th century, where a MacFeely ancestor was issued a grant of land from the King of Munster.

MacFeely is derived from the Gaelic words mac, meaning "son" and fhiodhlaigh, meaning "bald." The name likely referred to the physical characteristics of the clansmen, of whom many were likely bald or had a shaved or balding head. The name also implies more than just baldness, however; legends tell of the MacFeely being brave and fearless warriors, renowned for their strong character and loyalty.

The MacFeely family has been closely associated with Ireland for centuries. They held numerous prominent positions in both Gaelic and medieval history, including occupying several positions as part of the aristocracy. Records show that a MacFeely soldier served as an officer in King George III's Army in the 1768 Battle of Laalbani.

Today, the MacFeely surname is thought to be one of the oldest surviving Irish surnames, and the name is still quite popular in rural areas of Ireland and in the diaspora. There are numerous variants of the name, such as Mac Fayeill and Mac Feely, which are common amongst both Irish and Scottish Gaelic speakers.

MacFeely: Where does the name MacFeely come from?

The last name 'MacFeely' does not appear to be especially common in any country today. It appears there are very few people currently living who carry this name, as it is at least several centuries old. It has its roots in Ulster, Northern Ireland, where the first known bearer of the surname lived. Back in the 16-17th centuries, this name was quite common there, with many different lineages living in the province.

The MacFeely family were historically an important clan, as they held a significant amount of land. While many families which were established at that time changed their names or left the area, the MacFeely family seem to have stayed; but at some point their numbers started to decline. It is currently quite rare to find it.

The name is especially rare in Scotland and in the United States. Although some members of the clan may have left Northern Ireland, settling in Scotland or in the Americas, it does not appear to have spread far.

Most current 'MacFeely' individuals are therefore descendants of the original clan that lived in Ulster centuries ago. As such, the most probable location to find someone with this last name today is still Northern Ireland.

Variations of the surname MacFeely

The surname MacFeely has several variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the same origin.

The variants of the surname MacFeely include: McFeely, McAfee, Macafee, MacaFee, MacFee, McCaffee, MacFie, MacFea, MacFihy, MacFiely, MacFowlie, Macauly, MacGee, McFelaide, McFeeley, MacFilie, MacGill, McAfeey, McAfeely, McFay, and MacKaffe.

The spellings of this surname have changed over time, as certain letters have fallen out of use. The oldest version of the name is MacFeely, while the most common modern spelling is McFeely. Other popular spellings are MacAfee and MacFee.

Surnames related to MacFeely include Irish surnames such as MacGillivray, MacPhee, and MacWillie, as well as Scottish surnames such as MacPherson and MacFarlane. Other related surnames include MacCallum, MacDuff, MacGregor, MacNeil, MacVey, and McQuillan.

These variations in spelling and related surnames are a result of migration, as MacFeely is a relatively common name in Ireland and Scotland. As many people with this surname moved abroad, they adopted different spellings of their surname to suit their country of residence. This is why there are so many variants and spellings of the same origin for the surname MacFeely.

Famous people with the name MacFeely

• Rob MacFeely: an American singer-songwriter.
• Cyndi MacFeely: a Canadian actress.
• Megan MacFeely: an American actress.
• Ralf MacFeely: an American saxophonist.
• Aidan MacFeely: an Irish rugby player.
• Sean MacFeely: an American producer, director, and screenwriter.
• Juliet MacFeely: a British actress.
• James MacFeely: an American actor.
• Sara MacFeely: an American film producer.
• Marc MacFeely: an American jazz musician.
• Angus MacFeely: a Scottish singer.
• Mark MacFeely: an American actor.
• Sarah MacFeely: a Canadian journalist.
• Patrick MacFeely: an American television and film writer.
• Danielle MacFeely: an American fashion designer.
• David MacFeely: an American hip-hop artist.
• Joe MacFeely: a British actor.
• Cameron MacFeely: a Canadian photographer.
• Derek MacFeely: an American painter.
• Mick MacFeely: an Irish musician.

Other surnames

MacFeeMacFeet