Surname MacKeaghry - Meaning and Origin
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MacKeaghry: What does the surname MacKeaghry mean?
The exact origins and meanings of the last name MacKeaghry is difficult to trace. The root of the name originates from the Irish Gaelic Mac Echuidh, meaning “the grandson of Echu”. The name Echu is derived from the word ech meaning “a horse”, which may suggest that the original bearers of this name were once a member of a tribe or clan who followed a horse as their emblem.
In the Irish language, “mac” means “son” and “eadh” means “halt”, so together, MacKeaghry could mean “the son of the halting one”. This could be in reference to a person who lacks physical strength, or whose progress is slow and difficult.
Another suggested meaning of the last name MacKeaghry is derived from the Gaelic word, “ceathar” meaning “four”, which would make the translation of this name “four sons” or “the descendant of four sons”.
The spelling of the name has been known to vary throughout history and is sometimes seen as “McKeaghry” or “MacKeagry”. This last name is predominantly Irish in origin, and is rarely found in other parts of the world.
Overall, the last name MacKeaghry is an ancient Irish one with a rich history. Although its exact origin and meaning are difficult to trace, it has been deeply engrained in Irish society and culture for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKeaghry: Where does the name MacKeaghry come from?
The surname MacKeaghry is of Irish origin and is found mainly in County Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland. It is also traditionally associated with the Mac Keelaghan and the Mac Hale families of Northern Ireland. Since the 18th century onwards, many people with the surname MacKeaghry have left Ireland for a better life, arriving in Scotland, England, the United States, and Australia.
In Scotland, the ancestry of MacKeaghry is mainly linked to the Isle of Skye off the northwest coast. In the United States, many spellings of the name are found, including MacKeagry, MacKeaghee, MacKeery, M'Kaggry, and M'Kaigery. The highest population concentration today is in Massachusetts, followed by Illinois, Pennsylvania, and California.
In Australia, the name spread to this country in the 19th century and is mainly found in Queensland and Victoria. Concentrations of the surname exist in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. In England and Wales, the name is noticed on the Isle of Man, mainly Stornoway and Isle of Skye, where some have established small businesses.
The MacKeaghry name still exists around the purpose of the world and is likely to remain a strong part of Irish history for the foreseeable future. The current population of people sharing the surname is estimated at several dozen thousand worldwide.
Variations of the surname MacKeaghry
The surname MacKeaghry has several different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants include MacKeahry, MacKeahrie, MacKeaghry, McKaigre, McKager, McKagerie, MacKghaigh, MacKghie, MacKagery and MacCgey.
Spellings of the surname include Mac Ekahry, Mac Ekahrie, Mac Ekaghry, McKaigre, McKager, McKagerie, MacKghaigh, MacKghie, MacKagery and MacCgey.
Surnames of the same origin include MacEager, MacIagerie, MacHugh, MacGhie, MacKaig, MacSimo, MacEarty, MacCormick, and MacKechnie which are variants of the original MacKeaghry.
MacKeaghry is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic MacEochaidh (son of Eochaidh or Eochu). Historically this surname was used in the Hebrides of Scotland for the Clan Donald branch of the MacKinnon family, descendants of Eochaidh who were also known as the Clan Ewen.
Throughout the years MacKeaghry has taken on many different spelling variations. In some cases this was done to accommodate particular regional dialects, while in other cases the changes were simply due to the constant changes in spelling and the mixing of surnames that exists in English speaking regions. Because of its close relations to the Clan Ewen, the surname is now most often associated with families living in the Highlands of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Famous people with the name MacKeaghry
- Tom McKeagry, football player
- Deirdre McKeagry, novelist
- Sean McKeagry, actor
- Richard McKeagry, musician
- Eamon McKeagry, actor/producer
- John McKeagry, mountaineer
- Eamonn McKeagry, artist
- Will McKeagry, politician
- Edmond McKeagry, artist
- Connor McKeagry, baseball player
- Sean McKeagry, singer/songwriter
- Kaitlin McKeagry, Olympic athlete
- Bobby McKeagry, football coach
- Liam McKeagry, soccer player
- James McKeagry, journalist
- Brendan McKeagry, musician
- Paddy McKeagry, author
- Gillian McKeagry, fashion designer
- Grom McKeagry, actor
- Rory McKeagry, comedian