Surname MacKirdy - Meaning and Origin

MacKirdy: What does the surname MacKirdy mean?

The surname MacKirdy is of Scottish origin and is typically associated with individuals from the western part of the country. The name is a derivation of the Gaelic term "Mac Giolla Mhuire" which translates to "son of the servant of [the Virgin] Mary". It is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the name of a father or an ancestor. Generally, names that start with "Mac" in Scottish and Irish tradition usually signify "son of" thus revealing a familial relationship. However, it’s important to remember that meanings can vary based on geographical differences and historical usage. Over time, the surname has seen several variations in its spelling such as MacKirdie, MacKirdy, and MacKirdie among others.

MacKirdy: Where does the name MacKirdy come from?

The surname MacKirdy has its roots in Scotland, specifically from the Scottish Highlands, which is also the origin of many "Mac" or "Mc" surnames. The names work under the Gaelic practice of designating 'Mac' or 'son of' to distinguish familial lines. The exact meaning of 'Kirdy' is not easily identifiable, but it could possibly derive from a personal name or an occupation. As with many surnames, alterations in spelling (MacKirdy, McCardy, MacCardie, etc.) occurred over time due to factors like migration and anglicization.

Today, the distribution of the MacKirdy surname is still predominantly found in Scotland, especially in the regions of Argyll and Bute. However, it has spread to other parts of the world due to historical events such as the Highland Clearances, a period of forced evictions in the 18th and 19th centuries. These clearances led many Scots to relocate to other parts of the British Isles, or further abroad to countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite this scattering, the name is not exceedingly common, indicating that it is likely carried by a small number of families.

Variations of the surname MacKirdy

The surname MacKirdy has Scottish origins, specifically from the Gaelic surnames MacMhuirich, which means "son of the sea worthy" or "son of Murdoch", and MacGille Fhaolain or Mac Gille Mhoire, which means "son of the servant of St. Fillan". The name morphed into several variant spellings over time because of its pronunciation and the lack of standardized spelling during the time that surnames began to be used.

The most commonly seen variants include McKirdy, MacKurdy, MacCurdy, MacHerdy, McKerdy. Additionally, the 'Mc' or 'Mac' prefixes can sometimes be omitted, leading to variants such as Kirdy or Kurdy. Anglicized versions of the name may drop the 'Mc' or 'Mac' prefix and slightly change the spelling, resulting in names like Kirby or Kerby.

It is also not uncommon for Scottish surnames to be recorded in Latin; in such instances, the surname MacKirdy may appear as Murius or Muricius.

As with many surnames of Gaelic origin, each different spelling may correspond to a different family line, each uniquely evolving depending on the geographical location and local dialects. Therefore, while these names have similar origins and meanings, they may not necessarily denote individuals from the same family.

Famous people with the name MacKirdy

• Thomasina MacKirdy: Scottish actress
• Jonathan MacKirdy: Vice President of the Scotland-China Association and Chairman of the MacKirdy Group of Companies
• Alanay MacKirdy: Scottish singer-songwriter
• Peggy MacKirdy: Professor of Marketing and Change Strategy at the University of Edinburgh
• Steven MacKirdy: retired Scottish professional footballer
• Barry MacKirdy: Scottish footballer and manager
• Oliver MacKirdy: American actor
• Iain MacKirdy: retired Scottish professional footballer
• Kyle MacKirdy: Australian Rules football player
• Danny MacKirdy: Scottish ice hockey player

Other surnames

MacKirdie