Surname MacGuffey - Meaning and Origin
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MacGuffey: What does the surname MacGuffey mean?
The last name MacGuffey is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name MacGobhainn, which means "son of Gobhainn" or "son of the smith." In Scotland, they were a family of hereditary metalworkers and armorers, and the name is found particularly in the counties of Argyll, Midlothian, Ayrshire, and Renfrewshire. In Ireland, a branch of the MacGuffey family was established in County Armagh in the 17th century, where they remained until the early 19th century.
The MacGuffey family name has been associated with some notable achievements over the centuries. In Scotland, a John MacGuffey became an influential schoolteacher during the 19th century, while his brother Robert created the first English-language grammar schoolbook. In the US, the MacGuffey Readers were widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as textbooks for teaching children.
The MacGuffey family remains widespread in Scotland and in North America today. In the US, members of the family are found in most states, and some have even served in the armed forces or become well-known figures in American life. In Scotland, the name can still be found in the areas where it was first established, and members of the family can still be found in the fighting clans of the Highlands.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGuffey: Where does the name MacGuffey come from?
The MacGuffey surname is a common name primarily found throughout the United States. It's chiefly concentrated in Western states such as South Dakota, California, Washington, and Oregon, with notable populations in the midwest regions like Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The name is also common in areas near the Canadian border, especially Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana.
The surname is strongly associated with early American settlers who trace their lineage back to Scotland and/or Ireland. While the name is still fairly common today, it's likely to have been even more widespread in the past. For example, MacGuffey’s schoolbooks - widely used in American schools during the 19th century - were authored by noted educator William H. McGuffey.
The MacGuffey name remains a staple of American society, although it's often encountered by those who are romantically or historically interested in the US’s heritage. For instance, Pennsylvania is home to an annual Scottish highland games event which features the MacGuffey surname prominently.
The MacGuffey surname has likely been in the country for hundreds of years, and its history in the United States is certainly noteworthy. The name continues to be present today, although not as widely as it once was.
Variations of the surname MacGuffey
The surname MacGuffey has various origins, spellings and variants, which can range from one region to another.
In Scotland, the name is a variation of MacGuffog, from an old Gaelic surname which is derived from the personal name ‘Gobha’, which means ‘the smith’. Other variations of this originally Gaelic spelling are MacGuffie, MacGuffy and MacGoffey.
In England and Ireland, the surname MacGuffey may be derived from the Old German ‘Guff’ and ‘Goffe’. This surname is particularly associated with the city of London and has variants McKew, MacKew, MacGiffe, Magoff and MacGove.
In the U.S., the prominent surnames being MacGuffey and MacGuffie are thought to be derived from Maguide, a name found widely amongst Irish immigrants who settled in the Appalachian Mountains in the 18-19th centuries.
In Germany, particularly in Bavaria, the name is written as MacGuffin and is a variation of MacGoffen, derived from the old German ‘Goff’ meaning ‘a god’, and ‘Goeb’ meaning ‘a cub’.
In addition, the surname has also been found in Europe in Spain, Ukraine, Norway and Sweden with various spellings. In Spain, for example, it is spelled as MacGuevara or Magüevarö, while in Norway it is Macker and Måcker. In Sweden, the name is a variation of MacGöf, derived from the Old Norse ‘Gaufi’ meaning ‘Beauty’.
In summary, it is clear that the surname MacGuffey has various origins, with many different spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin depending on the region.
Famous people with the name MacGuffey
- Reuben MacGuffey: Famous American landscape photographer best known for his pictures of the American West.
- Edwin E. MacGuffey: American educator and author of the widely used McGuffey Readers.
- Kevin MacGuffey: Prolific cinematographer and film director, winner of multiple awards including an Emmy.
- James MacGuffey: Canadian-American businessman, early investor in North ESPN and founder of MacGuffey's Foundry.
- Norah MacGuffey: American country singer, who released several Grammy-nominated albums in the 1960s and 70s.
- Dora MacGuffey: American muralist, known for her work in public spaces such as the Union Terminal in Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Jacob MacGuffey: American lawyer and judge, who served on the Supreme Court of Wisconsin from 1848 to 1868.
- Meggin MacGuffey: American poet and travel writer, she wrote about places she encountered around the world.
- Edward MacGuffey: Pioneering American sculptor who created statues for The Browning Monument and the Menorah in Central Park.
- Annie MacGuffey: Renowned Australian portrait painter, who received the Archibald Prize for her work in 1954.