Surname MacKeachie - Meaning and Origin

MacKeachie: What does the surname MacKeachie mean?

The surname MacKeachie is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Eachaidh. Like many Scottish surnames, it's a patronymic name, meaning it has been derived from the name of a father or a male ancestor. The prefix 'Mac' translates to 'son of’, therefore, MacKeachie can be interpreted as 'son of Eachaidh'. The name Eachaidh, in turn, is a derivative of Hector in English. As for the specific meaning of Eachaidh, it's believed to be derived from the Greek name Ektor, meaning 'holding fast' or 'steadfast'. Therefore, the surname MacKeachie may carry the connotation of being a 'son of the steadfast one.' Note that over centuries and through immigration, the surname has been spelled in various ways, including Maceachan, Mckechnie, Mckechnie, Mckeichan, and more. These surnames are common in regions with strong Scottish influence, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Due to the many variations and possible translations of Gaelic surnames, it's worth mentioning that this is a generalized meaning and may not apply to all families with the surname MacKeachie.

MacKeachie: Where does the name MacKeachie come from?

The surname MacKeachie is of Scottish origin, and it is believed to be derived from the Gaelic personal name Eachaidh, which means "horse rider". Typically, the prefix "Mac" in Scottish and Irish surnames means "son of", indicating a patrilineal descent. Thus, MacKeachie could mean "son of Eachaidh".

While primarily linked to Scotland, surnames are more about personal family history than geographical location in contemporary times due to migration and globalization. It’s difficult to accurately determine where the surname is most common today as people with this surname seem to be disbursed across different parts of the world. That being said, as with many Scottish surnames, it is likely to be somewhat more prevalent in countries with historical Scottish immigration patterns, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the surname MacKeachie is considered to be quite rare, even within Scotland, and it may not be common in any particular geographical area today.

Variations of the surname MacKeachie

The surname MacKeachie is of Scottish Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eachaidh" which means "son of Eachaidh." Eachaidh is a personal name derived from each, a horse, thus implying a meaning of "horseman." Variants and spellings of the surname can include MacEachie, MacEachie, MacKechney, MacGeachie, MacKeachie, MacKeich, MacKeache, MacKeachey, MacKeachie, MacKichie, MacKichan, MacKeachie, MacKachan, MacGeachie, MacGeachey, and MacKichan. Additionally, the English translation of the Gaelic "Mac Eachaidh" - MacKechney, has also been used as a variant.

The surname may also appear without the "Mac" prefix. Examples include Keachie, Keachey, Keich, and Kechney among others. The variants of the name may have come about due to different phonetic translations over time and geographical locations.

It should be noted that while these names have similar spellings or pronunciations, exact surname origins would require individual research, as surnames can emerge independently in different locations. This is not an exhaustive list of all possible variants, but it should provide a good starting point for research into the MacKeachie family history.

Famous people with the name MacKeachie

• Terri MacKeachie: Canadian Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics, medalling in five events.
• Doug MacKeachie: alpine ski racer who won numerous medals at the FIS World Ski Championships, the FIS Alpine World Cup and the 2002 Winter Olympics.
• Mike MacKeachie: professional ice hockey player who played for multiple teams in both the National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association.
• Karen MacKeachie: visual artist who is known for her multimedia work that often combines elements of sculpture, painting, and performance.
• Gavin MacKeachie: Canadian-born musician and songwriter who is famous for his singles "Trouble" and "The Rush".
• Elizabeth MacKeachie: award-winning actress who is known for her leading role in the critically acclaimed film, The Notebook.
• Bill MacKeachie: retired NHL defenseman who played for five different NHL teams throughout his career.
• Jim MacKeachie: prominent landscape and wildlife photographer who has won multiple awards for his work.
• Mark MacKeachie: award-winning director and screenwriter who is known for his work on the films A Man of No Importance, and A Good Homestead.
• Jim MacKeachie: retired NASCAR driver who was known for his successes in the ‘90s, including his win at the 1994 Daytona 500.

Other surnames

MacKeachan