Surname McAlvay - Meaning and Origin
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McAlvay: What does the surname McAlvay mean?
The last name McAlvay is believed to have originated in Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Amhlaoibh' which means 'son of Amhlaoibh' which was a personal name used by early clans in Scotland.
The McAlvays had a great presence in the Scottish Lowlands, and records have been found of a large family of McAlvays near Strathaven in 1620. Over the years, the McAlvays moved around Scotland, eventually settling in counties such as Angus, Renfrewshire, Inverness, Aberdeenshire, and Argyll.
The McAlvays were well known for their excellent agricultural and fishing skills, which is why they were so well respected in traditional Scottish society. They were also known to take part in religious and political affairs, and to participate in traditional clan battles.
The McAlvay clan is still present in Scotland today. However, due to the great waves of immigration that occurred during the 19th and 20th centuries, many members of the clan now reside in North America, Australia, and other parts of the world.
Despite their migration, the McAlvay clan and their lasting contributions are still remembered. Indeed, their ability to embrace their roots while creating a better life for their families and future generations, will be a legacy for years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMcAlvay: Where does the name McAlvay come from?
The last name McAlvay is most commonly found in the United States today. It is most heavily concentrated in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, although it is found throughout the United States.
In the 2000 U.S. Census, the most heavily populated states for individuals with the last name McAlvay were Pennsylvania, with 169 people; Ohio, with 144 people; New Jersey, with 118 people; and Michigan, with 111 people.
Rootsweb's World Connect Project indicates the last name McAlvay is a variant of "Mcalvey," which originated in Ireland. It is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name Mac an Mháille, which translates to "son of the master." This name was likely adopted by members of the northern Irish sept who left their homeland and settled in the United States during the first great wave of Irish immigration.
Variations of the last name McAlvay appear to be fairly sparse in other countries, although a small number of individuals with McAlvay as a last name can be found in Scotland, Ireland, and Canada as well.
The last name McAlvay has endured in the United States for many generations and is likely to continue to be relatively common in the states where it is most heavily concentrated for years to come.
Variations of the surname McAlvay
McAlvay is a Scottish surname and can be found spelled in several variants: MacAlphey, McAlphie, McAlphy, MacAlvie, McAlvey, McAlvie, McAlvey, McAlvy, and MacAlvey. These surnames have all originated from the same family root and are likely derivatives of the Gaelic name MacAlpaigh, meaning "son of Alphaeus".
Due to the extensive emigration of Scots throughout the world, this surname may have made its way through different spellings in other countries. In Scotland, McAlvy is the traditional spelling, though the alternate MacAlvy is also used. In Ireland, the surname was made popular by the Mac Alvey family who were Catholic proprietors in Meath, located in the east of Ireland.
The McAlvay name may also be seen in many associated surnames, as spelling variations were common during the times people left Scotland to find work in other countries. These surnames include MacAlPerfect, McAuliff, McElfish, McCaulay, MacAuley, MacCawley, MacAlliff, Allsopp, and Allsup.
In the last few centuries, descendants of the original Scottish clans often took on a single surname, thus forming surnames such as McAvoy, McCauley, McElroy, McAlister, McCleary, and McCarthy.
Variations in the spelling over the years can lead to confusion, with the original source being obscured. It is therefore important to research the family tree and document any changes in the surname to ensure accurate genealogical records are kept.
Famous people with the name McAlvay
- Chris McAlvay: Chris McAlvay is a character actor, known for his roles in movies and television shows such as MASH, Super 8, and Bones.
- Woody McAlvay: Woody McAlvay is an actor who has appeared in a number of films and television series, notably Knights of the South Bronx, Castle, and Criminal Minds.
- Spike McAlvay: Spike McAlvay is an actor who has appeared in such films as The Scorpion King and Here Comes the Boom.
- William McAlvay: William McAlvay is an American politician who served ten terms in the Ohio State Senate.
- Kenny McAlvay: Kenny McAlvay is an Irish singer and songwriter, member of the band The Coronas.
- Douglas McAlvay: Douglas McAlvay is an American actor who has appeared in films such as Quarantine and Pitch Black.
- John McAlvay: John McAlvay is an American actor, known for his roles in Nickelodeon shows such as Drake and Josh and iCarly.
- Courtney McAlvay: Courtney McAlvay is an actress who has appeared in films such as The Blind Side and Love Takes Flight.
- Elizabeth McAlvay: Elizabeth McAlvay is an actress, best known for her role in the television series, The Ghost Whisperer.
- Patrick McAlvay: Patrick McAlvay is an American film director and writer whose work includes the comedy-drama The Family That Preys.