Surname MacVitty - Meaning and Origin
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MacVitty: What does the surname MacVitty mean?
The last name MacVitty is of Scottish origin and is typically found among people of Lowland Scots descent. The name is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Fhiodhaidh, which translates to “son of the woodsman”. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was a woodsman or an inhabitant of a wooded area.
The surnames common to the Lowland Scots tradition usually have two parts. The first part usually comes from the family’s occupation or location, while the second part typically describes an individual family.
The original Mackintosh family were Earls of Seaforth in Scotland. As part of their title, they acquired the alias MacVitty meaning “Woodsman of the North”. According to one theory, the name was derived from the Gaelic for “woodsman of the north” or “forest dweller from the north”.
The surname MacVitty continued to spread throughout Scotland and into Ireland following the Norman invasion of 1066. Many of the smaller clans, such as the Mackintoshes, were pushed out of Scotland and forced to emigrate to Ireland in search of a better life. The surname has since spread throughout the world in the wake of emigration and immigration. Today the name is used in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and elsewhere.
The MacVitty family has a rich history, and their legacy is one of determination and courage. The family has continued to embrace their ancestry, living up to the motto of their chosen surname: “Woodsman of the North”.
Order DNA origin analysisMacVitty: Where does the name MacVitty come from?
The last name MacVitty is most commonly found in the United Kingdom (UK) today. It is principally in Scotland and in Northern Ireland. There are also known name variants of MacVitty such as MacVittie, MacVity and MacVittie. The name originates from the the surname 'MacDhaidh', which is part of the Scottish 'Gaelic' clans and their descendants. The name began to appear in records in the fifteenth century.
The two main locations in Scotland where the name is most strongly represented today, are in the north western Highlands, particularly in the towns of Callander and Strathblane, near Glasgow. In Northern Ireland, the name is mainly found in the eastern parts of the province, that is, in Co. Antrim in the far north.
In other parts of the United Kingdom, the MacVitty name is found, though much less commonly, in England particularly in Derbyshire and to a lesser extent, Bedfordshire, Yorkshire, Wiltshire and Buckinghamshire. Outside the United Kingdom, the surname has made its way to many countries including France, Canada, the United States and Russia.
The coat of arms associated with the MacVitty surname originates from the Clan Campbell. This was probably granted in recognition of the services MacVittie held in related Campbell families. The crest badge is based upon this blazon of arms: Azure, an oak tree proper, fructed or, issuant out of a mount in base vert, all within a bordure of the second. The motto, 'Vive Ut Vivas' translates to 'Live That You May Live'.
Variations of the surname MacVitty
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacVitty include MacVittie, MacVitti, MacVitties, MacVitty, Vickery and Vickrey.
MacVitty is an Anglicised version of the Gaelic Mac Bhaidithigh, which literally translates to 'son of Vitti'. It has been in use since at least the 16th century in the Scottish Highlands.
MacVittie is an alternative spelling of MacVitty and was found primarily in Elgin and Aberdeen.
MacVitti is another alternate spelling of the name and was found in the Shetland Islands and in the Northern Isles of Scotland.
MacVitties is a rare variation of MacVitty, and is found primarily in Edinburgh.
Vickery is a variant of MacVitty and is found across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It can also be seen in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Vickrey is an alternate spelling of Vickery and has been found predominantly in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
In conclusion, there are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacVitty, including MacVittie, MacVitti, MacVitties, MacVitty, Vickery and Vickrey.
Famous people with the name MacVitty
- Noel MacVitty: An Irish jockey who is best known for winning the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris.
- Eoin MacVitty: A professional footballer who has made over 140 league appearances for clubs such as Dundalk, St Patrick's Athletic, and Galway United.
- Desiree MacVitty: An American fashion designer who is best known for designing the costumes featured in the popular Broadway show Hamilton.
- Stanley MacVitty: A British painter who was a member of the St Ives group of Cornish painters and was best known for his bold use of colour and innovative brushwork.
- Deirdre MacVitty: An Irish folk singer who has released three albums of traditional Celtic music and has been credited with bringing the songs of the Emerald Isle to a new audience.
- Lyle MacVitty: An award-winning director and producer who is responsible for creating such shows as Friday Night Lights, Heroes, and The O.C.
- Ryan MacVitty: An American actor who has appeared in films such as The Ring and The Dark Knight Rises and is best known for his role in the television series Sons of Anarchy.
- Adam MacVitty: An Australian actor who has starred in such films as The Great Gatsby and Doctor Who and was named one of Variety Magazine's '10 Actors To Watch' in 2015.
- Tarlia MacVitty: An award-winning journalist who is best known for her work with the BBC, covering stories from all over the world.
- Zoe MacVitty: An Olympic rower who won gold in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and won silver in the 2016 Rio Games.