Surname MacTeague - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacTeague: What does the surname MacTeague mean?
The last name MacTeague has its origin from a by-name of the ancient Gaelic Mac Thaidhg. It is derived from a personal name “Thaidhg”, which is of uncertain origin, though some theories tie the name to either the Irish táed or the Welsh tud.
Historically, the Irish MacTeagues were mainly located in counties Meath and Down, in the province of Ulster. Scottish families with this surname were likely descended from Irish immigrants to that country. The name was also found in counties Cavan, Dublin and Tyrone.
MacTeague is an Anglicisation of the Irish name Mac Thaidhg and thus means “son of Thaidhg”. The ultimate meaning of the name is uncertain but is thought to possibly be either “poet” or “people”. Given its ancient Irish origins, the name is open to a variety of interpretations, adding to its mystique and rich history.
Throughout history, many individuals with the MacTeague surname have played a major role in the history of Ireland and Scotland. Famous individuals with this surname include Niall Mac Teague, the Scottish landowner and judge in the late 1800s, and Daniel MacTeague, an Irish warrior who fought against the English in the 1600s.
The MacTeague surname carries much history and pride, with many individuals having been integral to the nation’s past. Indeed, its origin in Irish mythology leaves much room to explore the name’s rich meaning: “son of Thaidhg”.
Order DNA origin analysisMacTeague: Where does the name MacTeague come from?
The last name MacTeague is not particularly common today. It is distributed mainly in Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, and the United States. It is most prevalent in Northern Ireland (Ulster), especially in County Antrim and County Louth. MacTeague is an Anglicized version of the Irish name MacTighe, which originated in County Antrim.
In Scotland, the name is most common in the Highlands and Borders. It is also found in parts of England, distributed extremely sparsely throughout the country. The number of bearers of MacTeague in Canada and the United States is a fraction of those originating from Ireland and the UK.
The MacTeague name is understood to be of old Gaelic origin, with the prefix Mac meaning "son of" and the root Taidhg suggesting "poet". The name was likely adopted in the late medieval period, with various branches of the family surname migrating outwards from its Ulster origins to Scotland, England, Canada and the United States over time.
The current number of people bearing the MacTeague surname is relatively small, with estimates ranging around 400. It is rarely found in non-traditional Irish, Scottish, and English populations, suggesting that its current geographical spread had an origin in the definitive migrations of centuries past.
Variations of the surname MacTeague
The surname MacTeague is an Irish patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic “Mac Thaidhg”. It is an anglicization of the Irish MacTaidhg, sometimes pronounced MacTeague, and is likely derived from the personal name Tadhg. ‘Mac’ means ‘son of’.
Variations of MacTeague include MacTeague, MacTague, MacTee, MacTey, and MacTeai. A variety of spellings is seen worldwide due to English spelling variations caused by the medieval Gaelic spelling of the name, as well as the IVth century Norman French correlation of the name.
Other surnames of the same origin include MacTigue, Mac Tyg, MacTaegue, MacTayg, MacTye, and MacTighe, among others. All of these surnames share a common origin, and some of the spellings may be synonymous or interchangeable.
In addition, some of the magazines have become surnames in their own right, such as Teague, Taegue, Tyg, or Taygue. MacTeague can also be expressed as MacTeeg or MacTie.
MacTeague also has a Scottish spelling, as MacTague. This spelling is also found with the variants of MacTague, MacTagg, MacTeag/MacTead, and MacTeeg.
Overall, there are a multitude of variants, spellings, and surnames stemming from the original Irish roots. All of these spellings and surnames have a common origin and mean ‘son of Tadhg’.
Famous people with the name MacTeague
- Lauren MacTeague: Celebrity chef and restaurateur from Berkeley, California.
- Colter MacTeague: Notable Canadian environmentalist, whose work has focused on sustainable forestry solutions and protecting endangered species such as the spotted owl.
- Terri MacTeague: Pop, rock and folk singer from Ottawa, Ontario.
- Arthur MacTeague: Notable international statesman and diplomat from Northern Ireland.
- Harlan MacTeague: Award-winning American documentary photographer and visual artist, whose work focuses on issues related to the environment, poverty, and human rights.
- Bill MacTeague: Founding president of the National Education Association and leader of the campaign to pass the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
- Joanne MacTeague: Notable author and journalist from Montréal, Québec, whose work has focused on women's issues and international affairs.
- Todd MacTeague: Notable Canadian ice hockey player from the Vancouver Canucks organization.
- Kaitlyn MacTeague: Professional ballet dancer, most recognized for her exceptional portrayals of the lead female characters in classical ballets.
- Aaron MacTeague: Double Bass player, most recognized for his numerous recordings and live appearances with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.