Surname MacIntee - Meaning and Origin
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MacIntee: What does the surname MacIntee mean?
The last name MacIntee is a Scottish and Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Gaelic words “mac an t-sith” meaning “son of the fair one.” The name is usually pronounced “MacIN-tee” and can also be spelled MacIntyre and McIntire.
In Scotland, the name MacIntee is heavily concentrated in the north of the country in the regions Aberdeenshire and Banffshire. It is thought that the first people with this surname were located in Aberdeenshire and were part of Clan Gordon, also known as “MacIntees of Badenoch.”
In Ireland, the surname is common in counties Belfast, Antrim, Fermanagh, and Cavan. The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic words “mac an t-Òrain,” which translates to “son of the hound” or “son of the champion.”
Today, the surname MacIntee is found in both Ireland and Scotland. It tends to be heavily concentrated in the north and has been known to spread to other parts of the county. Many people with this name have gone on to have successful careers in a variety of industries, from medicine to politics.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIntee: Where does the name MacIntee come from?
The last name MacIntee is most commonly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is primarily associated with the clan MacDonald, which hails from the Scottish Highlands. It is also found in other parts of the British Isles, such as Wales and England, as well as other parts of the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Scottish spelling of the name is Mac an Tòiseach, which means “the son of the chieftain” in modern Scottish Gaelic. The Irish spelling of the name is Mac an tSagairt, which means “the son of the priest” in Irish.
The name is not particularly common today in Scotland, but when found, it is often associated with the MacDonald clan. Those associated with the name usually have ties to chiefs or priests of the clan, further solidifying their connections to the land and its past.
Outside Scotland, the name is most common in the United States, and is frequently found in states such as Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington. It is also popular in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to the Scottish diaspora from many centuries ago.
The last name MacIntee is steeped in Scottish historical roots and continues to be widely used today, albeit less commonly. Those who bear the name carry the legacy of the past, and are living reminders of Scotland’s rich heritage.
Variations of the surname MacIntee
The surname MacIntee is one of many variations of the wider Scottish name Mac an t-Saoir, meaning ‘son of the craftsman’. It is also one of the few names that originate from the Highlands.
The surname is also found in variants such as MacInty, McIntee, McEntee, MacEntee, MacAnTsaoir, MacIntyre, MacEntaire and McCooey.
MacInteer, or MacIntire, are both variants of the same Mac an t-Saoir origin. The first variant, MacIntier, is derived from the Gaelic form of Mac an t-Saoir, which can be phonetically represented as Mac-in-tire; MacIntire is derived from the Scottish Gaelic form.
MacKinney or McKenney is also a variant of the Mac an t-Saoir origin. This surname is derived from the Irish word Mac Conney, meaning ‘son of the leader’.
MacGinty and McGinnis are likely to be derived from different Irish Gaelic words, rather than Mac an t-Saoir. MacGinty is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Ghoill, meaning ‘son of the stranger’, while McGinnis is likely derived from the Gaelic Mac Gioalaidh, meaning 'son of the brave'.
Lastly, some may find the surname MacEntee spelled as MacEntey or MacInty, but this is actually incorrect. These spellings are two separate Scottish Gaelic names. MacEntey is derived from Mac an Fhóccaidh, meaning 'son of the huntsman', while MacInty is derived from Mac Aonghais, meaning 'son of Angus'.
Famous people with the name MacIntee
- Jamie MacIntee: an award-winning vocalist and songwriter
- Ken MacIntee: a professional ice hockey player
- Gehrig MacIntee: a singer-songwriter and guitarist
- Mick MacIntee: a former Australian rules footballer
- Dylan MacIntee: a Youtube personality and musician
- Chet MacIntee: a professional American football player
- Tana MacIntee: an actress and model
- Robbie MacIntee: an actor
- Lachlan MacIntee: an Australian businessman
- Daniel MacIntee: a singer/songwriter based in Nashville
- Janet MacIntee: a musician and multi-instrumentalist
- David MacIntee: a Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Mary MacIntee: an American professional tennis player
- Daisy MacIntee: a British television actress
- Rachel MacIntee: a Scottish actress and singer
- John MacIntee: an American Major League Baseball pitcher
- Isaiah MacIntee: an American soccer player
- William MacIntee: a prominent 19th century American lawyer
- Daniel MacIntee, Jr.: an American painter
- Logan MacIntee: a YouTuber