Surname MacIreavy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacIreavy: What does the surname MacIreavy mean?
The last name MacIreavy originates in Ireland and is anglicized version of the Gaelic name MacIaráidh which in English roughly translates to "son of the follower of the Lord's wind." It is thought to trace back to the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne people from the Connacht province in the Western region of Ireland. The tribes origin dates back to the 4th century and was best known for its fierce seafaring warriors and thriving culture.
McIreavy is associated with the O’Shaughnessy clan which were located in the counties Roscommon, Galway and Mayo, and is part of the larger Uí Maine clan.
Today, MacIreavy is still a relatively common last name in Ireland. The name is an homage to Ireland’s ancient and powerful past, and still many bearers of the surname take pride in McKenzie’s Gaelic roots, its brave warriors of the past, and the cultural links to their ancestors and Irish families.
Variations of the name include MacAreevy, MacAreavy, MacAreivy, MacEreavey, Mac Eravey, McEreavy, M'Erevy and O'Reevy. The spelling of the surname often varies even within families, yet these minor variations will never obscure the proud and noble lineage of the MacIaráidh people.
Order DNA origin analysisMacIreavy: Where does the name MacIreavy come from?
The last name MacIreavy is a very Irish surname that is most commonly found in the Republic of Ireland. This name is not especially widespread and is primarily concentrated in certain areas, particularly in the Counties of Tipperary, Kerry, Waterford, Cork, and Limerick. While the last name has been found in other countries throughout the world, it is most common in Ireland.
MacIreavy is an anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Mac Iaráigh. The name is derived from the Irish "iarach," which translates to "west." This name likely originated from Tipperary County, the southwestern region of the island, where the Gaels settled centuries ago.
In modern times, many Irish have emigrated to other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Because of this, the MacIreavy name can now be found in many places outside of Ireland. Nonetheless, the surname is still much more likely to be encountered in the Emerald Isle.
Variations of the surname MacIreavy
MacIreavy is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin from the Mac Giolla Riabhaigh sept of County Donegal in Ulster province. The original spelling of the name was Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, which simply means "son of the devotee of St. Riabhach". The spelling variations of the surname MacIreavy include MacRiabhaigh, MacRavey, McRavey, MacReavy, McReavy, and Mac Areavey.
The MacGiolla Riabhaigh sept has produced several noted Gaelic Irish families which have migrated to other parts of Ireland and abroad. Among other places, they have been found in the counties of Antrim, Galway, Donegal, Meath, Mayo, and Monaghan. The longest-settled area, however, is Donegal, which was the traditional home of the sept.
The MacGiolla Riabhaigh family also gave rise to many other variants of the original surname. In some places, these names have been Anglicized or changed to suit the English pronunciation of the surname. Some variations include McAreevy, MacReevy, MacReevie, MacGreevy, MacGreavy, MacGreevy, and MacGreavey. Some other Irish variations include McAree, McArry, MacEarra, MacGara, MacGillrae, MacIlree, MacLara, McReel, MacIlrea, MacReely and MacRiely.
These surnames have left their imprints on Irish history and culture and have been adopted by many people around the world. Repeated patterns of migration and adoption of various surname forms have made these surnames widespread and found in a variety of cultural and national contexts.
Famous people with the name MacIreavy
- Edward MacIreavy: A notable Irish politician and minister in the Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish Parliament.
- Mary MacIreavy: An Irish actress who has performed in many theatres throughout Ireland, her most famous role being in the Oscar-nominated film Adam & Paul.
- Terry MacIreavy: A former Gaelic footballer and manager who currently works as a pundit for the Irish sports broadcaster RTÉ Sport.
- Sean MacIreavy: A former Irish-American basketball player who played professionally in North America during his career.
- Peter MacIreavy: A former Irish Anglican civil servant and politician who was a Member of Parliament in the Irish House of Commons from 1776 to 1801.
- Bernard MacIreavy: A former Irish diplomat who served in many countries throughout the world, he was also the permanent representative of Ireland and the European Union to the United Nations from 2005 until 2010.
- Edward T. MacIreavy: An Irish-American writer and professor who has written many award-winning novels and non-fiction books.
- Mark MacIreavy: An English music producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Coldplay and Katy Perry.
- Rory MacIreavy: A Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL.
- Brian MacIreavy: A Scottish businessman and entrepreneur who has established several successful companies in various sectors.