Surname McElveen - Meaning and Origin
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McElveen: What does the surname McElveen mean?
The last name McElveen is a Scottish name of uncertain origin. It might be a variation of the name MacAlpine, which means "son of Alpine." Alternatively, it could be derived from the old Gaelic MacGille Mheàin, meaning "son of the servant of St. Vinne".
The McElveen surname first appeared in the area of western Scotland known as the Hebrides, including the Outer Hebrides (or Western Isles). Many families bearing the McElveen name settled in areas such as Dumfries and Galloway, Perth, Ayrshire, and Lanarkshire, and spread into northern England and Ireland.
The McElveens were well-known as drovers, farmers, merchants, writers, and prominent citizens. Many McElveens served in the British military and navy, as well as in the East India Company. The name is still prominent in Scotland, as well as Australia, Canada, and the United States.
McElveens are typically known for their strong work ethic, integrity, and unwavering loyalty. They are held in high regard within their communities and are known for their hospitality and willingness to help others. Members of the family have achieved success in fields such as medicine, business, politics, and the arts, perpetuating the proud McElveen legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisMcElveen: Where does the name McElveen come from?
The last name McElveen is most commonly found in the southern United States, particularly the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The McElveen surname is thought to be of Scottish origins, as many of these states have a history of Scots-Irish migration. In Mississippi, McElveen is the 44th most common last name, while in Alabama it is the 36th most common. It is also found in Texas, North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana.
The McElveen surname is most associated with the historic plantations and cotton-growing of the southern United States. The early 1800s were a time of considerable economic and social power for these families, and records suggest many of the original settlers in these states were of McElveen descent. Today, the surname is still a common hit among the upper and middle classes of the south, with notable figures such as Florence B. McElveen, the first African American woman to hold the office of mayor in the state of Mississippi.
Outside of the southern states, the McElveen name can be found scattered across the US and internationally too, particularly in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The internet is increasingly connecting members of the McElveen family, helping restore the lost histories and build a strong community based on the name.
Variations of the surname McElveen
The various spellings, variants and surnames of McElveen are MacElveen, MacElven, MacElvin, McElvan, McIlvan, McElvin, McElvan, McElven, McElvene, McElvain, McElvean, McElveny, McElvey, McIlvine, McElvien, McElveon, MacIlvain, MacIlvane, MacElvin, MacElvine, MacElvan, McElwain, McUlvin, MacUlvin, McElvane, McElvyne, and McEuen.
McElveen is a patronymic name common among Irish, Scottish, and English people. The original form of the name was the Gaelic Ó MAOLBHÉAN. Though Gaelic was widely spoken in Ireland and Scotland centuries ago, the English translation of the name would be grandson of the Bald Man; however, the name may have been originally used as a nickname for a person with very fair or light colored hair.
The surname has come to be used as a descriptive name, referring to the geographical places with which the family was associated, or to a particular family's characteristic name or phrase. The surname is very common throughout Ireland, Scotland, and in the British Isles.
Having been associated with the British Empire since the 16th century, the McElveen surname has appeared in other parts of the Commonwealth, including Canada, Australia and the United States. It can also be found in parts of continental Europe. North America is home to the largest concentration of the McElveen surname, particularly the United States. It is also one of the most common surnames in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Today, the name McElveen is a popular surname in Celtic societies and those of the British Isles. Its popularity can also be attributed to its usage in literature, literature and pop culture, as it has been a popular name for characters in movies, television shows, and novels for many decades.
Famous people with the name McElveen
- Marcus McElveen: an American actor and producer from South Carolina.
- Mark McElveen: a professional football player that played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Oilers.
- Dennis McElveen: a former medical doctor birth in China and grew up in Delaware, he was Mayor of Middletown in 2013.
- Jack McElveen: a former South Carolina state senator and an attorney.
- Joshua McElveen: a State Representative from New Hampshire, he was also a United States Navy Reserve officer.
- Yvonne McElveen: a former Mayor of Rialto, California who worked to fight crime.
- Jake McElveen: a former Rock Hill city councilman.
- Larry McElveen: a former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Henry McElveen: a former South Carolina state senator who served from 1975 to 1993.
- Danny McElveen: the youngest jury service prosecutor in the history of Richland County, South Carolina.
- Charles McElveen: a former state senator from Oswego, New York, and the Mayor of Oswego from 1973 to 1975.
- Bill McElveen: a former over 60-year career in broadcasting in South Carolina.
- Tommy McElveen: a former congressman representing South Carolina's 8th congressional district from 1973 to 1979.