Surname McFee - Meaning and Origin

McFee: What does the surname McFee mean?

The last name McFee is of Scottish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic name "MacDhubhshith" which translates to "black peace." The name is a combination of two elements: "dubh" which means "black" and "sith" which means "peace". It is a patronymic name, which means it is based on the name of a father or ancestor. In this case, the name McFee refers to the descendant of Dubhshith. Over time, the name underwent several phonetic changes and was anglicized to various forms such as McFee, MacDuffie, McDuffie, MacPhee, and others. In terms of geographical distribution, the McFee clan is traditionally associated with the Scottish regions of Argyll and Galloway. Like many Scottish surnames, McFee can also be found in countries like Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Australia due to historical migration patterns.

McFee: Where does the name McFee come from?

The surname McFee is of Scottish origin and is considered a variant of the surname McFie. It derives from the Gaelic name "Mac Dhubh-shithe" which translates to "son of the black fairy." The fairy, in this context, is believed to be a euphemistic reference to a member of the powerful Highland Clans.

McFees are associated with the regions around Colonsay and Oronsay in the Inner Hebrides, an island group off the west coast of mainland Scotland. They were traditionally part of Clan Donald, a historically powerful Scottish clan.

Today, the surname McFee is most common in English-speaking countries. There are considerable numbers of McFees in the United States, Canada, Scotland, and to a lesser extent England and Australia. It is not as common as some other Mc or Mac surnames, but it still has a worldwide presence due to emigration from Scotland during the Reformation and other historical events.

Variations of the surname McFee

The surname McFee is of Scottish origin and it may be spelled in various ways due to phonetic translations, dialectical changes, and personal preference. Variations of McFee include MacFie, MacPhee, McFie, McPhee, Maffie, MacPhie, MacVey, MacVeagh, MacCaffee, MacHaffie, MacGuffie, and MacCoffee.

These name variants all stem from the Old Gaelic MacDhubhshith, composed of elements "Mac" (son of), "dubh" (black) and "sith" (peace). The name was originally a Gaelic nickname for a dark, peaceful person. In some cases, the name can also be a variant of Murphy, derived from the Irish "O Murchadh," meaning "sea warrior."

The surnames relate to Scottish Clans, specifically Clan Macfie. Denoting tribal and familial affiliations, these names were started by male-line descendants. Clan Macfie, from the Inner Hebrides, played a significant role in the Scottish history and these surnames represent this lineage. So, people with these surnames might have ancestry connections with Clan Macfie. These variations can be found among the Scottish diaspora in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Many variations exist, showing the rich tapestry of Scottish surnames and the influence of Gaelic language over the years.

Famous people with the name McFee

• Alex Mcfee: Alex is a professional extreme sports athlete and free-climber who is best known for his impressive feats in the sport of Street Luging.
• Leslie McFee: Leslie is an American actress, author, and voice-over artist. She is well known for her roles in "Lilo & Stitch", "Halloweentown," and "Cheaper by the Dozen."
• Guy Mcfee: Guy is an Australian wildlife conservationist who devoted his life to protecting endangered species and threatened habitats.
• Simon McFee: Simon is a British antique dealer who is known for his vast collection of rare items and his superb antique restoration services.
• Angus McFee: Angus is an American jazz musician and composer who is best known for his work with the hit band The Galactic Sandman.
• Reggie McFee: Reggie is an American football player who is best known as a defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers.
• Windsor McFee: Windsor is an English businessman who is known for his work in developing digital media technology and the founding of the software company White Wolf Systems.
• Sarah McFee: Sarah is an American author and political commentator, well known for her books on controversial topics such as abortion and religion.
• Robert McFee: Robert is a Canadian television and film producer, best known for his work on the documentary series "Search for the Lost Dinosaurs."
• Matt McFee: Matt is an American sportscaster, best-known for his work as a commentator for the National Football League and ESPN.

Other surnames

McFearghailMcFearinMcFearsonMcFeatMcFeaterMcFeatersMcFeetMcFeeterMcFeetersMcFeirnMcFerrallyMcFerrellMcFerrenMcFerrillMcFerrinMcFerson