Surname MacJames - Meaning and Origin
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MacJames: What does the surname MacJames mean?
The surname MacJames is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from a given name and originally referred to the son of James. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic surname MacShéamuis, which means ‘son of James’. The given name James is derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, which has its roots in a Hebrew phrase meaning ‘he who supplants’.
The MacJames clan is believed to have originated in Kintyre, Scotland and its descendants are now found all over the world. It is believed that members of the MacJames family were among the earliest settlers of the American continent.
Members of the MacJames clan are believed to be generally independent, tenacious, and determined. They may have an adventurous streak, tending to go for what they want and seek out opportunities.
Today, the surname MacJames is a valuable reminder of the hardworking lineage of generations of Scots who have built their lives and carved out a place for themselves in the world. It is also a reminder of the importance of family ties and connections to the past, and serves as a wonderful example of how one’s culture can shape one’s destiny.
Order DNA origin analysisMacJames: Where does the name MacJames come from?
The last name MacJames can be found today in many parts of the world. The name likely originated in Scotland, where it is one of the most popular surnames - particularly in the western and northern regions. It is also common in England and the United States.
In the US, the name can be found in every state, with particularly high numbers concentrated in New York, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Outside of the US, the surname can be found in various parts of Europe, Asia, and South America.
In the United States, the census bureau has estimated that the MacJames surname has a population of about 30,000. This is a small fraction of the American population, representing only 0.01% of the total.
The MacJames surname is also a popular choice in music and entertainment. Top British rapper Professor Green lists MacJames among his many aliases, and actress Jayma MacJames has had roles in the television shows Supernatural and The Mentalist.
Overall, the MacJames surname is common in many different parts of the world. The name has origins in Scotland, and is also popular in the US, Europe, Asia, and South America. It is estimated to make up 0.01% of the American population. In addition, the MacJames surname appears in music and entertainment, making it an increasingly popular choice among modern day families.
Variations of the surname MacJames
The surname MacJames is derived from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic language and can be seen in the spelling variants of Macjam, Macjames, Macjems, and Macjim. It is also seen as the surname MacShim or MacShims in some regions.
The Irish name MacShim, is thought to be derived from the old Gaelic personal name MacSeim or Mac Shíomóin (son of Simon). It is also noteworthy, that in Scotland, the equivalent Gaelic name would be Mac Shìomhair.
Other variant spellings for the surnameMacJames include M’James, Mcjames, McJames, Mcjams, McJams, McJemmes, McJemes, and MacShimis.
The patronymic surnames that stem from MacJames include: McJameson, McJimson, MacJimmison, MacGemmison, MacGem, MacGemmsen, and MacGymmer.
The surname has been displaced to many other countries as families moved in search of new opportunities. In some cases, the MacJames surname has been clearly Anglicized to form such surnames as James, Mackay and Mackey, while in others, it has been spelled in a way that is native to the country to which the family has settled, such as in Polish Maksymiuk and Maczesny, or in German Makjem.
In conclusion, the surname MacJames has a number of variant spellings, along with derivatives and patronymic surnames, that all stem from its Irish and Scottish Gaelic origins.
Famous people with the name MacJames
- Tom MacJames: a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).
- Maggie MacJames: an American Paralympic swimmer.
- Eric MacJames: English professional footballer.
- June MacJames: an American country music singer-songwriter.
- Graham MacJames: former Australian rules footballer and former coach.
- Dr. Ian MacJames: an American pediatric oncologist and hematologist.
- Bill MacJames: Canadian politician.
- Dylan MacJames: former professional Canadian curler.
- Johnny MacJames: former professional ice hockey player.
- Sarah MacJames: British actress.
- Emma MacJames: a Scottish golf player and professional mountain bike rider.
- William MacJames: former Member of Parliament in the Australian House of Representatives.
- Jay MacJames: American Emmy-award-winning composer and music producer.
- Sean MacJames: former professional basketball player for the American Basketball Association.
- Cynthia MacJames: a retired Canadian journalist.