Surname MacKeighry - Meaning and Origin
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MacKeighry: What does the surname MacKeighry mean?
The surname MacKeighry is of Irish origin. This surname is derived from the Gaelic language, specifically the phrase Mac Aoidh, which means “son of Hugh”. Over the centuries, the spelling of the name changed to MacKeighry, which was used throughout Ireland and Scotland.
The MacKeighry family trace their rootsto the ancient kingdoms of Scotland, and further back to Ireland. In Ireland, their name was commonly found in counties such as Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Mayo, and Roscommon. MacKeighry family members were long associated with the land and held important positions in their communities. They were widely respected and known to be hard-working, honest and loyal people.
The MacKeighry family was heavily involved in Irish politics during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Hugh MacKeighry was actively involved in the Irish independence movement. He helped to ignite the flame of national liberation and fought for the rights of his people.
The MacKeighry family is still around today, though their influence in politics has diminished. Members of the MacKeighry family can still be found in the republics of Ireland and Scotland, living out their lives in peace. They are proud of their rich heritage and rooted in their Irish and Scottish culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKeighry: Where does the name MacKeighry come from?
The last name MacKeighry is most commonly found today in the United States and Canada, primarily in the states of Pennsylvania and New York.
The first instance of this last name can be traced back to the MacKeighry family in a town called Mooncoin, located in County Kilkenny, Ireland, which was settled during the great Irish immigration wave of the mid-1800s. Most of the family that emigrated from Mooncoin decided to settle in the Northeastern United States—Pennsylvania and New York specifically—and the last name MacKeighry has grown especially prevalent in those two states over time.
Today, census records indicate that MacKeighry is now the 1152nd most common surname in the United States. Various descendant branches can also be found in Minnesota, Maryland, Ohio and in some other states, albeit in much smaller numbers. In Canada, MacKeighry is estimated to be the 2022nd most common last name.
Outside North America, MacKeighry can be found in more limited numbers in the United Kingdom, especially in England, and in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacKeighry
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacKeighry are McKiernan, MacErenan, MacKiernan, MacGerenar, MacKerrane, MacKierney, MacKerrigan, MacKerrenan, MacKerron, Macran, MacRan, MacRaon, MacRehn, MacRein, McKergan, McKerren, McKerrenan, McKerron, MacKeegan, and McKereghan.
The variations of the MacKeighry surname originated in Ireland. This particular Irish name was taken from the Gaelic form ‘Mac Ichairnin’. The literal translation of the name is ‘son of Ichairnin’, where ‘Ichairnin’ represents one of two Irish personal names; firstly ‘Ichair’ derived from the Irish word ‘caer’',' meaning 'love’, and secondly ‘Ionarn’ derived from the Irish word ‘ion-dorn’ meaning ’haughty’ or ’proud’. This surname subsequently became MacKiernan and MacKierney.
Variations of the surname have also been found in Scotland and in certain parts of the United States, where variations of the surname MacKeighry have been found, including; McKerren, McKerron, MacRehn, MacRein, and McKereghan.
Variations of the surname are also found in other parts of the world, in countries such as Australia, where the spelling has been changed to MacKergan. The variations of this name are still in use today, although there are no exact populations with this name in existence.
Famous people with the name MacKeighry
- James MacKeighry: an American entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.
- Hannah MacKeighry: an Australian politician.
- Mabel MacKeighry: a Scottish author, composer and educator.
- Neil MacKeighry: a Scottish actor, comedian and TV presenter.
- Arlene MacKeighry: an American actress and singer.
- Helen MacKeighry: an English model and singer.
- Mark MacKeighry: a British actor and presenter.
- Colin MacKeighry: an Irish-born public relations executive and movie producer.
- Paddy MacKeighry: an Irish singer-songwriter, actor and producer.
- John MacKeighry: an Australian cricketer.