Surname MacGhee - Meaning and Origin
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MacGhee: What does the surname MacGhee mean?
The surname MacGhee is a Scottish and Irish last name, derived from the Medieval MacGeth and MacGauth. It is found in both the Gaelic and English forms, either as MacGhee or McGee.
The derivation of the name is thought to be from the Gaelic Mac Gaths - meaning 'son of the wind' or 'son of the stranger'. This would suggest a family lineage of migration over time.
The MacGhee surname can be traced back to numerous locations in the Highlands of Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, and Perthshire. It was also found in the Irish counties Donegal, Antrim, and Monaghan.
MacGhee families in Scotland typically held much prestige, being clan chiefs and involved in many aspects of life in the area. Many of these families were key landowners and landowners in their respective areas.
The meaning and background of the MacGhee surname is fascinating in its own right, as it has a long history of migration, along with significant influence in Scotland and in Ireland. Its use throughout both countries over the centuries is a testament to its endurance and relevance to the modern day.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGhee: Where does the name MacGhee come from?
The name MacGhee is found most commonly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is a very old name with a very long genealogy, and rooted in the larger clan system of Scotland. MacGhee is a branch of Clan MacGillivray, a Highland Scottish clan based in Inverness-shire and Perthshire.
The name MacGhee takes its Gaelic roots from the first person to take the surname in Scotland. People with the surname MacGhee are believed to be descendants of the same person, referred to in Gaelic as Mag Eachaidh (or the "son of eachaidh").
In more recent times, the name MacGhee is less common than in past centuries, and has spread beyond Scotland to other countries. Today, the surname MacGhee is found predominantly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is also seen in Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname MacGhee
The surname MacGhee (also spelled MacGhee and MacGee) is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Aodha, which means 'son of Aodh', a Gaelic god of fire. This surname is often mistakenly associated with the Scottish Clan MacGhee, which is actually a branch of the larger MacKay clan originating in Scotland.
Variations of MacGhee include MacGhee, MacGee, Magee, McGhee, McGee, MacGhee, MacGee, McGehee, MacGey, McGehay, McGeay, McGea, Maghee, Maghe, Maghey, Maghy, Maughey, Maughee, MacGhie, MacGhee, MacGhe, MacGhey, and Maege. These variants of the name are all anglicised forms of the original Gaelic 'Mac Aodha'.
Surnames of similar origins are also found in Ireland, Scotland, and elsewhere, including MacGhee/MacGhie, Magee/Mage, McGhee/McGee, MacGowan, Magee, MacGill, Maguire, MacKeag, MacKee, and MacKay. Outside Ireland, variants of the surname are found in England, Scotland, Wales, America, Canada, and Australia, with slight changes in spelling depending on the county and country.
Some variations of the original MacGhee name are now found in other countries, due to migration over the centuries. For example, the MacGee name is extremely common in the United States, and a variant of it, MacGhee, is found in Canada. In Australia, variants of the MacGhee name can also be found due to migration from other countries.
Overall, the surname MacGhee has a wide variety of spellings and variants, all stemming from the Gaelic 'Mac Aodha'. Although the variants of the name are diverse, they all ultimately trace back to a common origin.
Famous people with the name MacGhee
- Michael MacGhee: sculptor and installation artist
- Bruce MacGhee: former professional baseball player
- Arryn MacGhee: Canadian actor
- Bradlee MacGhee: American film producer
- Kevin MacGhee: former NFL linebacker
- Thomas MacGhee: Australian pianist
- Clay MacGhee: American country music singer
- William E. MacGhee: US Army pilot instructor
- Mark MacGhee: English footballer
- Thenjiwe MacGhee: South African actress