Surname MacFetridge - Meaning and Origin
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MacFetridge: What does the surname MacFetridge mean?
The surname MacFetridge is an old British name from the Scottish Highlands. It is believed to be of ancient Gaelic origin, derived from the Gaelic words “Mac an Fheadhraig” meaning “son of the wind”. This indicates the family likely originated in a place known for its high winds. The MacFetridge families have since spread throughout Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom. It is also found in some parts of the United States.
The traditional Gaelic spelling of MacFetridge is “Mac Firidh”, which approximates to MacFetridge in English. The letter “F” in the surname has also undergone frequent changes over the centuries; sometimes changing to a “V”, such as in “McVetridge”. This often leads to confusion with other surnames which contain the letters V and F.
The MacFetridges are an old family, long-associated with the rugged Scottish Highlands and its unique culture and history. Throughout its long history, the family has made its presence felt in the fields of leadership, politics, arms, and literature. Famous bearers of the MacFetridge name include the Scottish lords James and William MacFetridge, and Northern Irish politician Francis MacFetridge.
Order DNA origin analysisMacFetridge: Where does the name MacFetridge come from?
The last name MacFetridge is not particularly common today and is hard to pinpoint to an exact geographical location. It generally originates in Scotland, England, and Wales, as these countries have a shared history of Celtic language and culture. When tracing the origins of the name, records tend to stretch back to the 1800s in these countries, when surnames began to become more commonplace.
The spread of the MacFetridge surname in the modern age tends to be concentrated around the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Here it is most commonly found in the areas of the former British colonies, due to the large emigration of British citizens over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The most current records of the name show especially high concentrations in Glasgow, Scotland, and Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. The latter is likely a result of the many Scots-Irish immigrants who left their homeland in the 18th century due to religious and political persecution.
The MacFetridge name is an interesting relic of Celtic culture and history. Its origins are hard to trace with any degree of certainty, but it is clear that it was once a treasured symbol of a people who held their heritage and surnames dear. In the present day, the name is still connected to a great history which can be appreciated by those that bear it.
Variations of the surname MacFetridge
The surname MacFetridge is derived from the Old Gaelic personal name Mac Phaedruis. Variations in spelling of the MacFetridge surname were caused by another Gaelic-speaking tribe, the Scotti, who immigrated to Britain around the 6th century. The most common forms of MacFetridge include MacFetridge, McFetridge, MacFetridg, Mc fetridg, MacFettridge, MacFetrich, Mcfetrich, McFetrige, MacFetrig, McFetrig, and MacFetrigg.
Surnames of the same origin as MacFetridge include some which are quite rare. These include MacFeter, MacFeather, MacFeatherg, MacFeathergh, MacFetrie, MacFetreet, McFeter, McFeather, McFeatherg, McFeathergh, McFetrie, and McFetreet.
There are several variations of MacFetridge which can be found in records. In Scotland and England, the phonetic spelling was often used in official documents and registers due to the wide range of dialects spoken by immigrants, depending on their origin. As a result, bearers of the MacFetridge name may have encountered spellings such as McKetrich, McKetricht, McFetrechie, McKettridge, MacFetrichie, MacFetrish, MacFetrench, MacFetriges, MacFetritsch, MacFetritch, MacFetrych, and many more.
Variants of the MacFetridge name can also be found in Scotland and Ireland. Examples include McGetrish, McGetrische, McGetriss, McFetiris, McFetirish, McFetirs, McFetirish, McFetisch, and McFetriss.
In Ireland, some variations of MacFetridge have evolved into distinct surnames. Examples of these include MacGaffery, MacGafferty, MacGaffey, and MacGaffrey.
Overall, the MacFetridge surname is a very unique one, with many variations and spellings. Its roots can be traced back to the Scots-Gaelic culture of pre-medieval antiquity, making it an interesting family name to research and explore.
Famous people with the name MacFetridge
- Albert MacFetridge (18th century actor, director, and dramatist)
- Lindsay MacFetridge (Canadian ice hockey player)
- Tom MacFetridge (Scottish footballer)
- Chris MacFetridge (American runner)
- Catherine MacFetridge (Canadian swimmer)
- James MacFetridge (British-American painter and illustrator)
- David MacFetridge (Scottish-American theologian)
- Irene MacFetridge (American chorister and composer)
- Kenneth MacFetridge (Canadian rower)
- Dana MacFetridge (American figure skater)