Surname MacKevany - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacKevany: What does the surname MacKevany mean?
The last name MacKevany is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Eibheannigh, which was found primarily in Ulster. The name is believed to have originated with a sept of the MacDonnell clan based in the area today known as western Scotland and is associated with the early Irish kingdom of Dalriada.
The Gaelic suffix 'kevany' is derived from the old Irish Gaelic words Eibhean which means 'fawn' and -ach which means 'descendant'. Those bearing the name could have been associated with a clan or territory whose emblem included a fawn.
The continuous use of the MacKevany name by those in and around western Scotland is thought to have originated in the tribal lands of the early Dalriad kings. This clan name was likely spread far and wide as a result of waves of Scots who migrated to Ireland in search of better economic opportunities in the 13th century.
Originally, MacKevany was a name of distinction and prestige belonging to a powerful Irish clan, however over time they eventually grew to become a more widely distributed Scottish surname. Today, those bearing the MacKevany name can be found primarily in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as in pockets of Irish descent in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKevany: Where does the name MacKevany come from?
The last name MacKevany is an Irish name, and is most likely to be found in Ireland and its surrounding countries. The name is quite rare, likely due to its recent history; many Irish families were forced to take on different surnames around the 19th and 20th centuries in order to avoid persecution or discrimination. As a result, many Irish last names changed or even disappeared, and the name MacKevany is one of them.
The name MacKevany is still found in some parts of Ireland, but also around the world. Due to its recent history, many families with the MacKevany last name have likely moved to different countries, and today, a few families can be found in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The name can also be found in parts of Europe, especially in England and Scotland, alongside many other countries around the world, such as France and Spain.
Given its rare status, it is possible that MacKevany links back to old Irish families, possibly from many centuries ago. This connection could still be found in modern times, as many of the same surnames still exist today, although it is difficult to prove.
Variations of the surname MacKevany
MacKevany is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Aodhbhuidhe (son of Aodhbhuidhe). Alternative spellings and variants of this name include MacKayvany, MacKeveny, MacKevney, MacKevina, MacKevonny, Kavan, Kaven, Kevany, and Kevney.
The "Mac" prefix before this surname indicates that the original bearer of the name descended from a certainly line of hereditary chiefs or chiefs of noble birth. This prefix may also be translated as "son of," and in the case of MacKevany, the name refers to the son of Aodhbhuidhe.
Remember, the spelling of surnames in Ireland varied greatly over the centuries. Oftentimes, the same family might be known by several different spellings, where, in some cases, the spelling of a name may have even changed a few times within the same family group. During the 1600s, the English colonization of Northern Ireland brought many people and their surnames from England into this region, therefore creating a much more diverse name population. As a result, many "same origin" surnames appear to be from different ancestries.
Therefore, if you are researching the MacKevany surname, be mindful that there is a possibility to come across alternate spellings and variants of the name, and that these spellings could potentially refer to the same family. While this may initially cause some confusion, it's important to remember that surnames are often changed or adapted to "fit in." Such is the case with MacKevany, where the original Gaelic form was adapted to English, which resulted in this various spellings.
Famous people with the name MacKevany
- Greyson MacKevany: American film producer
- Ethan MacKevany: English soccer player
- Arthur MacKevany: Former Prime Minister of Ireland
- Matt MacKevany: American singer-songwriter
- Justin MacKevany: American guitarist
- Rebecca MacKevany: Canadian Olympic swimmer
- Jamie MacKevany: British GENIUS award-winning astrophysicist
- Fred MacKevany: American entrepreneur and venture capitalist
- Yolanda MacKevany: South African business leader
- Kerry MacKevany: Northern Irish Actor
- Julia MacKevany: British actress
- Michael MacKevany: American journalist
- Paul MacKevany: Scottish Actor
- John MacKevany: Irish musician
- Mary MacKevany: American wedding photographer