Surname McCurley - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McCurley: What does the surname McCurley mean?
The surname McCurley is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Mocholmóg, which translates to “son of the follower of the reverend (or devout) servant”. Within Irish culture, this surname was also known as MacMurchadh which could refer to “son of out of the sea”. Since McCurley is a relatively a rare surname, there is not a lot of information about the family’s history. However, historians suggest that the McCurleys were among the first people to settle in northern Ireland during the 13th century.
The McCurley surname was brought to North America with Irish immigrants who migrated across the Atlantic during the great 19th century migration. During the 20th century, the name was most prevalent in Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and California.
Today the McCurley surname is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. McCurleys are believed to be hardened workers with a strong sense of independence and a deep appreciation for nature and community. This is a family that values loyalty and tradition, and it is likely that these values will be passed down from generation to generation for many years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCurley: Where does the name McCurley come from?
The last name McCurley is most common today in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. McCurley, which is a Scottish surname, is believed to have originated from the Lochaber region of Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic MacGhille Ruaidh which means “son of the red devoted one.”
In the United States, McCurley was the 12,489th most common family name in 2000. It was most popular in the state of Pennsylvania, where 0.013 percent of the population bore the name. The states of New York, Michigan, and Texas also had a concentration of McCurley families.
In Scotland, McCurley is the 10,154th most common surname, occupying 0.0013 percent of the population. Belfast and the surrounding area in Northern Ireland also had a high concentration of McCurley families.
The small community of McCurley, Texas, lies in central Texas and pays homage to the family who settled there in 1889. The McCurleys founded a post office in the small community, and McCurley is still a thriving town today.
The name McCurley is still heard throughout Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, but its prevalence is still relatively low compared to other surnames. It’s a proud name that still carried on today by many descendants of the original Scottish family.
Variations of the surname McCurley
The surname McCurley is a variation of the Irish name Mac Cearbhaill and is derived from the ancient Gaelic name Cearbhall which means “hound of Cullen”. The variations, spellings, and surnames related to McCurley include MacCurley, MacCara, MacCarrell, MacCerley, MacCarley, McCurragh, MacCarrill, MacHarley, MacCurragh, MacCarrill, McCurrill, MacCorley, MacKearley, and McKerley.
MacCara is the anglicized form of Mac Cearbhaill and is mainly found in North Munster and South Leinster counties, including Cork and Wexford. The surname MacCurley is the most commonly known version, primarily found in Clogher and Fermanagh. It is also an anglicisation of the name Mac Cearbhaill.
The spelling variations of MacCarrell and MacCerley are quite similar and can both be found in counties Down, Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh, Wicklow, and Monaghan. MacCarley is another spelling of Mac Cearbhaill, generally found in the Irish province Ulster, especially in counties Antrim and Fermanagh. It is also found in Donegal, Galway, and Sligo.
McCurragh is an Anglicized version of the surname which is mainly found in Dublin and Kilkenny. MacCarrill is an anglicised version of Mac Cearbhaill and is primarily found in the counties Wexford, Down, and Donegal. MacHarley is a variant of the name Mac Cearbhaill and is mainly found in the Irish province Munster.
MacCurragh is an Anglicised version of the surname and is mainly found in Armagh, Down, and Derry. MacCarrill is an anglicised form of Mac Cearbhaill and is mainly found in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, and Mayo. McCurrill is an Anglicised form of the name, and is mainly found in Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford. MacCorley is an anglicised spelling of the name and is mainly found in counties Fermanagh, Antrim, Laois, and Carlow.
MacKearley and McKerley are versions of the name which are found in Ulster, especially in counties Antrim, Donegal, and Derry.
Famous people with the name McCurley
- Erin McCurley: Professional ballet dancer and artist who also performs Broadway shows.
- Sean McCurley: UFC fighter who has achieved high accolades in the sport.
- Jake McCurley: American bluegrass and country musician based in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Melanie McCurley: American folk and country singer who recently made her debut album.
- Mae McCurley: former US Olympian who competed in diving and gymnastics.
- Paul McCurley: Award-winning actor who has a lengthy resume of credits on film and TV.
- Sarah McCurley: Grammy Award Winner and Country Music artist.
- Kiah McCurley: Professional dancer and choreographer whose credits include many popular artist music videos.
- Nathan McCurley: Professional footballer who plays for the Seattle Sounders.
- Patrick McCurley: Award-winning broadcaster and journalist who has appeared on many radio and TV networks.