Surname McEvoy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McEvoy: What does the surname McEvoy mean?
The surname McEvoy is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe." It is a patronymic surname meaning 'son of the yellow-haired boy.' The "Mac" or "Mc" prefix is common in Irish surnames and signifies 'descendant' or 'son.' The first recorded spelling of the McEvoy family name was that of Oriel MacFie (original form of McEvoy), which was dated 1550, in the "Monaghan" county, Ireland, during the reign of King Edward VI of England. Over time, the surname underwent various spelling changes due to its phonetic nature and was later known as McEvoy. The McEvoys were originally lords of Leix, an ancient Irish tribal territory located in today's County Laois. Today, people with the surname McEvoy can be found in Ireland and other countries throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMcEvoy: Where does the name McEvoy come from?
The surname McEvoy is of Irish origin and its roots can be traced back to Gaelic roots, specifically from "Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe," which means "son of the Yellow Haired". Traditionally, it is associated with Counties Laois and Armagh in Ireland. The surname has been anglicized over the years to form versions like McAvoy or MacEvoy. The McEvoy name is still common in Ireland, particularly in its places of origin. Due to the massive Irish diaspora during the 19th and 20th centuries, the name is also found in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. It’s important to note that the name's population in these countries can depend heavily on the wave of immigrants that arrived from Ireland during those periods.
Variations of the surname McEvoy
The surname McEvoy has ancestral links with Irish origin and is commonly related to the Gaelic name "Mac Eimhí" which means "son of Eimhin". This surname witnessed various adaptations and misspellings with time and geographical relocations. You might find this surname spelled as MacKevoe, McKevoe, MacEvo, MacEavoy, MacEvoy, McEavoy, and MackEvoy. Sometimes there are also alternate or Anglicized spellings, such as McAvoy, McAvay, MacVeagh, MacVeigh, and McVeagh.
In some versions of the surname, the prefix Mac/Mc (designating 'son of') might be dropped, leading to variations like Evo, Evoy or Avoy. It is also possible to encounter this surname in its Anglicized and contracted form O'Veigh. Please note, even within these multiple variations, the exact spelling may differ based on individual choices and transcription errors over centuries.
Despite variations in spelling, all forms of this surname trace back to a common source in Irish ancestry and share the same root in historical terms. The wide range of forms the McEvoy name takes represents the fascinating journey of migration, adaptation, and cultural melding characteristic of surname history.
Famous people with the name McEvoy
- Rita McEvoy: An Irish actress, best known for her roles in films such as In the Name of the Father, Angela's Ashes, and My Left Foot.
- Stephen McEvoy: A New Zealand lawyer and judge of the High Court of New Zealand since 2009.
- Peter McEvoy: An English amateur golfer, and four-time winner of the Amateur Championship.
- Michael McEvoy: A British actor, best known for his roles in films such as Some Like It Hot, The War of the Roses, and The Third Man.
- Gerard McEvoy: An Irish author of the books The Sons of Molly Malone and The Banks of the Bann.
- Pádraig McEvoy: An Irish politician who served as Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann from 1989 to 1992.
- Thomas McEvoy OBE: A British banker and the head of Barclays Bank from 1975 to 1979.
- Daniel McEvoy: An American singer-songwriter from Syracuse, New York.
- Patrick McEvoy: A Canadian historian and professor of Canadian History at the University of Manitoba.
- Greg McEvoy: An Australian rugby league football coach.