Surname MacKeary - Meaning and Origin
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MacKeary: What does the surname MacKeary mean?
The last name MacKeary is an Anglicized version of the Irish/Gaelic name Mac Fhareadhaigh, which is derived from the word "fearadhach". Fearadhach means “man of grace” or “man of good cheer”.
The MacKeary surname is most commonly associated with County Cork in Ireland, where it is thought to have originated in the early 1300s. The name is believed to be a branch of the powerful O’Mahony family and descended from Fergus, the great Prince of Ulster.
The arrival of the MacKearys in Ireland is linked to their part in the Anglo-Norman invasion against Irish king Brian Boru. Legend has it that when the castle of Kinsale in County Cork was to be surrendered to the occupying forces, a brave MacKeary stepped up to the challenge of delivering the terms of surrender to the castle without losing his life.
The MacKeary clan produced many great individuals over the centuries, ranging from military officers and brave warriors to men of letters, with some of the more notable being Miles MacKeary of Monasteranenagh, who served as an officer in the English military in the mid 1600s. In the 18th century, Mordecal MacKeary served as a respected judge and politician in Dublin.
Today, the MacKeary name is most often found in its anglicized form and can be seen in many countries around the world. Despite its long history and association with County Cork, the powerful and symbolic legacy of the MacKeary family lives on in those who still proudly carry its name.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKeary: Where does the name MacKeary come from?
The last name MacKeary is most commonly found in Ireland and the United States today. In Ireland, the name MacKeary is most concentrated in County Clare and County Cork; however, it can also be found throughout the rest of the country. In the United States, the surname MacKeary is particularly prevalent in Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and California. The name MacKeary originated in Scotland and Ireland during the middle ages, but it migrated to the United States during the 1800s. The vast majority of the MacKeary’s that migrated to the United States originated from Ireland.
While MacKeary was initially used as a last name, it has seen adoptive use as a first name as well. In the United States, 150 people use MacKeary as a first name and around 6,490 people use it as a last name. The name is of Gaelic origin, and it derived from the Gaelic Mac Uidhir, which is thought to have been shortened to MacKeary. The literal translation of Mac Uidhir is ‘son of Odhar’; however, the name can also be translated as ‘son of dark-haired one’. Though the name is not as common today, it still has an enduring presence, particularly in Ireland and the United States.
Variations of the surname MacKeary
The surname MacKeary can be spelled several different ways, all of which are ultimately derived from the same origin.
Variants
The alternate spelling variants used in records of MacKeary include, but are not limited to, MacKerry, MacKary, MacKerrie, MacKerrey, Makary, McKary, McCary, and McCary.
Spellings
Spelling variations of the MacKeary surname have been documented. These include McKerry, MacKerry, McKary, MacKery, McKery, Mackerri, MacKary, MacKerrey, Makary, McAree, McCary, McKeerie, MacKeery, MacKery, Makery, McKeary, Makeery, MacKeirey and MacKirrey.
Surnames
There are also other surnames associated with the MacKeary surname. These include MacAdruaidh, MacCaire, MacGarry, MacQuirrie, and McWherry.
Each of these surnames is ultimately derived from the same family, and likely has shared ancient forms the same original Gaelic form. The 'Mac', found in a large percentage of these surnames, is a prefix of Gaelic origin meaning, ‘son’. The root element of the name is most likely 'ciar' which means “dark-haired” or “dark-skinned”. It is believed that the original bearer of the MacKeary surname was a person of dark complexion.
Famous people with the name MacKeary
- David MacKeary: Spanish actor best known for his role in the 2019 mystery thriller film, “The Curse of the Weeping Woman”.
- Carly MacKeary: American reality TV star who burst onto the scene after being featured in the hit MTV show, “16 and Pregnant”.
- Patrick MacKeary: Irish actor who appeared in the 2016 sci-fi drama movie “The Arrival”.
- Sam MacKeary: English singer-songwriter who released his debut album “Burning” in 2017.
- Seb MacKeary: American writer and filmmaker who released his hit movie “The Summoning” in 2019.
- Jonathan MacKeary: Scottish actor best known for his role in the BBC series “Merlin”.
- Malcolm MacKeary: Canadian professional hockey player best known for his time in the National Hockey League (NHL) in the early 2000s.
- Rebecca MacKeary: American artist who gained international recognition for her unique multimedia works displayed in art galleries around the world.
- Paul MacKeary: Brazilian doctor who provided humanitarian aid in the Amazon Rainforest.
- Oliver MacKeary: British rapper and songwriter whose single “Push the Boat Out” was released in 2018.