Surname Mackemie - Meaning and Origin

Mackemie: What does the surname Mackemie mean?

The surname Mackemie is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Camaidh, which means 'son of Camaidh'. The part 'Mac' typically means 'son of', signifying lineage or descendants of a certain individual. The 'Camaidh' part is a personal name, probably a variant of 'cam-shron', which means 'crooked nose'.

Hence, the surname signifies being a descendant of someone nicknamed the 'crooked nose'. The Mackemie name is most associated with the Mackemies of Scotland and Ireland. They have been important in the Presbyterian Church, most notably Francis Makemie, who is considered the 'Father of American Presbyterianism'.

However, meanings of surnames can be interpretive and might not always reflect the characteristics of individuals who possess them today. Like many surnames that originated hundreds of years ago, the original meaning or context might have changed or become irrelevant over time. Therefore, it is essential to remember that surnames are vestiges of a bygone era and may not carry significant meanings in the present day.

Mackemie: Where does the name Mackemie come from?

The surname Mackemie is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish name MacKimmie, which itself comes from the Gaelic "Mac Shimidh", meaning "son of Sim". Its earliest mention comes from records in Inverness and Ross shire.

This surname was carried to America by Francis Makemie, a Presbyterian minister from Ireland of Scottish descent, who is generally remembered as the founder of the Presbyterian Church in America during the 17th century.

Today, the surname is not very common and there are relatively few people with this surname. It can be found in the United States, Canada, and to a lesser degree in the United Kingdom and Australia. However, it does not rank among the most common surnames in any of these countries. The largest number of people with the Mackemie surname is in the United States, specifically in Virginia, where Francis Makemie established the first Presbyterian churches.

Variations of the surname Mackemie

The surname Mackemie is of Scottish origin. Various spellings of Mackemie have been documented over the centuries due to issues with translating the name from its original Gaelic form.

Alternative spellings of the surname Mackemie include: Makemie, Mackimmie, Mackimie, Mackimmey, Mackemey, Mackamie, MacKemy, and MacKimmie.

Mackemie is believed to be derived from the Gaelic name Mac Shimidh, which translates to 'son of Sim,' a diminutive of Simon. This means other surnames originating from the Gaelic name Mac Shimidh could be seen as variants of Mackemie as well. This includes MacSimon, MacSymon, McSymon, and MacSim.

Additionally, the Mackemie surname is closely related to the surname MacKinney, another anglicized version of Mac Shimidh.

Please note, surname spellings often varied based on the literacy level of the individual and local dialects and accents, leading to diverse variants of the same name.

Famous people with the name Mackemie

• Peter Mackenzie—British film, television, and theater actor, best known for his role in the 2009 comedy film, The Hangover.
• Marcel Mackenzie—Australian actor and comedian, known for roles on Home and Away, Three Summers, and Top of the Lake.
• Sally Mackenzie—British children's television presenter, best known for hosting the TV show Saturday Mash-Up.
• Robert Mackenzie—Scottish-born Australian television and radio personality, best known for his work on the soap opera Neighbours.
• Sophie Mackenzie—British author and academic, known for her writing on the history of medicine.
• Angus MacKenzie—Canadian television journalist and producer, best known for his work on the Discovery Channel's Unsolved Mysteries.
• Caitlin MacKenzie—Scottish composer and musician, best known for her original music for stage and screen, including the films Midwinter of the Spirit and One Night in Istanbul.
• Greta MacKenzie—British actor, best known for her roles in the BBC dramas Doctors and Holby City.
• Cameron MacKenzie—Canadian actor and voice actor, best known for his roles in films like the Saw trilogy and the animated television series Phineas and Ferb.
• Heather MacKenzie—American singer-songwriter, best known for her contemporary folk releases.

Other surnames

MackemmieMacKemmin