Surname MacGachey - Meaning and Origin
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MacGachey: What does the surname MacGachey mean?
The last name MacGachey is a surname originating in Scotland. It derived from the Gaelic MacEachaidh, meaning "son of Eachaidh" or Aodh, the Gaelic name of Hugh. The name entered English as McGaughey, McGachy, and other variants, including the French variant MacGachy.
In Scotland, the name MacGachey is associated with clans that lived in the northeast of Scotland, near the Moray Firth. The early recorded history of these clans dates to the 12th century and they were part of the federation of Clans Donald, MacDonald, and MacEachern.
The name MacGachey is also commonly found in Canada, particularly parts of Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. These MacGacheys were primarily of Scottish descent and were likely among the first European settlers in these areas.
Throughout history, the name MacGachey has been a proud one. A strong sense of loyalty and family tradition is associated with the name. This is also reflected in the saying, “Clann na Rod na Righ eile”, which translates to “One Household, One Ruler, another”, implying a loyalty to each other in times of struggle and conflict.
In the modern day, the MacGachey surname is still relatively common, with members of the clan currently living throughout the world, with many still proudly displaying their name.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGachey: Where does the name MacGachey come from?
The last name MacGachey is most commonly found in parts of Scotland and Ireland, and is quite a common last name in the southern highlands of Scotland. It is believed that the name has Irish roots; some suggest the name comes from the Irish Mac an Ghabhsaigh meaning son of a hostage or stranger.
Today, a lot of people with MacGachey surnames are concentrated in the areas of Scotland and Ireland where the name is traditionally found. The Scottish cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness as well as the Irish cities of Dublin, Belfast and Galway, have some of the highest concentrations of people with this last name. There are also some places outside of these areas where MacGachey is relatively common, including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In the US, MacGachey is particularly common in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. It is also very common in some cities in Canada, such as Toronto and Montreal.
In addition to these places, MacGachey is also a fairly common name in some countries in South America, such as Brazil and Argentina, and some other areas of Europe, such as Germany, Spain and Portugal.
Overall, the last name MacGachey is a fairly common last name today. It is mostly found in its traditional areas of Scotland and Ireland, but is also seen in a few other places around the world, particularly the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname MacGachey
The surname MacGachey is derived from the Gaelic MacMhaighstir Mhic Eachaidh, which translates to "son of the priest of Hector.” Through the process of Anglicisation, the surname has been adapted in a number of different spellings and variants, including MacGachy, MacGachy, MacGeachy, MacGeachy and MacGeechy.
Over time, the surname has evolved further, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, where the surname is known to exist in a number of possibilities such as MacGeachy, MacGeachy, MacGeechy, McGachy, McGaw and McKacha. Elsewhere in the world, the surname has further evolved and can be found as MacGachie, MacGeece, MacGees, Gaches, Gagich, Gaggis and Keachey.
Historically, the spelling of surnames changed over time depending on who was administering the registration at the time, as well as the local pronunciation of names. This means that with each generation, the same surname can appear in different forms, explaining why multiple surnames spelling and variants of MacGachey exist.
This is also true of other related surnames such as MacKachey, MacKeechy, MacGechie, MacGeech and MacGeezie, which can also trace their origin back to the same Gaelic name. It is also worth mentioning that MacGachey is a Scottish-Gaelic surname, and is particularly prominent in Scotland, where it has existed since the 7th century.
Famous people with the name MacGachey
- Emma MacGachey: Irish actress, best known for her role in the 2003 drama film 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'
- Liam MacGachey: Irish folk musician
- Keegan MacGachey: Canadian actor, director and producer
- Sarah MacGachey: British author and illustrator
- Mark MacGachey: American singer, songwriter and guitarist
- Robert MacGachey: Scottish politician
- Aiden MacGachey: Australian comedy actor
- Gavin MacGachey: British film director and producer
- Nicole MacGachey: American model and actress
- Julia MacGachey: Canadian fashion designer