Surname McGehee - Meaning and Origin

McGehee: What does the surname McGehee mean?

The surname McGehee is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Eochaidh, which means "son of Eochaidh." Eochaidh is an old Gaelic personal name, often Anglicized as "Hugh." This name includes the prefix "Mac," which means "son of," indicating a patronymic naming tradition. The surname thus denotes "son of Hugh." It's worth noting that Gaelic surnames often varied in spelling due to regional pronunciation differences and the translation process from Gaelic to English. Therefore, the surname McGehee has various forms, including McGeachy, McKeachie, and others. Like many Scottish surnames, it's likely that people with this name can trace their ancestry back to Scotland, despite the name now being found worldwide due to emigration. Some McGehees, for instance, may trace their roots to the Scottish clan system.

McGehee: Where does the name McGehee come from?

The surname McGehee has Scottish-Irish origins, specifically from the Gaelic name "MacGee", which means "son of Aodh", "Aodh" being an ancient personal name associated with fire and therefore attributed with the meaning "fire".

During the 17th century, due to political unrest, religious persecution, and economic hardship, many Scots emigrated to North America, especially to what is now known as the United States. Consequently, the name McGehee is found most commonly in the United States today, particularly in states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia. The surname is not as prevalent in its country of origin due to historical emigration patterns. The McGehee familial connections and footprints can be traced back to early American history, making its bearers a part of the historic narrative of the United States. Despite its rarity, there are still people bearing the surnames McGehee or variations thereof in Scotland and Ireland.

Variations of the surname McGehee

The surname McGehee is of Scottish origin and belongs to the category of patronymic surnames, typically derived from the father's given name. This particular surname traces its roots to the personal name Eógan, which means "born of the yew tree."

McGehee has various alternative spellings influenced by regional dialects, linguistic assimilation, and individual mannerisms over the centuries. Some of these variants include McGee, McGeachy, McGeary, Magee, McGhee, and sometimes Mackey or Mackie.

The prefix "Mc" or "Mac" is a Gaelic term meaning "son of," so these variant spellings all point to a familial relationship with an original Eógan. The variation "McGhee" is especially popular in Northern Ireland.

The anglicized form of the surname, Magee, is more prevalent among Irish descendants. The phonetic similarities between these variations have led to inconsistencies in spelling, especially in census and other official records from the past.

In the United States, where historical immigration has resulted in further surname diversification, one might also encounter the spelling McGehee.

Overall, while there are numerous variations, they all retain the core identifier, offering a shared point of reference for those tracing their ancestry back to a common progenitor.

Famous people with the name McGehee

• William McGehee: His parents ran the family fur business in Natchez, Mississippi, where he grew up. He is a member of the board of the National Audubon Society, the founder of Mississippi Trout Unlimited, and is an advocate for the conservation of the Delta.
• Clinton McGehee: American basketball player and coach. He is the son of former NBA player Charles "Tate" McGehee and a graduate of Jackson State University, where he also played basketball for the Tigers.
• Michelle McGehee: American professional wrestler, known by the ring name "McGehee". She has wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment, National Wrestling Alliance and its associated promotions (NWA Main Event, Memphis Power Pro Wrestling, Deep South Wrestling and Women's Extreme Wrestling), Ring of Honor, and Ohio Valley Wrestling.
• Charles McGehee: American football player and coach. He played college football at Tennessee State University and professionally in the National Football League (NFL) as a nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos.
• Steve McGehee: American voice actor. He has provided English dubbed voices for a number of Japanese anime, most notably those of Yami Yugi in the Yu-Gi-Oh!, Gintoki Sakata in Gintama, Kyon in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Nozomu Itoshiki in Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei.
• William M. McGehee: American chemist and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of McGehee Technologies, a leading provider of analytical instrumentation for the chemical and materials industries. He is also the author of several books about chemical analysis, including the Handbook of Analytical Instrumentation.

Other surnames

M'AdamM'BaxterM'Callum/M'ColminM'Can/M'Kane/KeanM'ChoraldM'ClareneM'ClaringM'ClearenM'CleronM'CowisM'CoyM'CoyneM'CrackenM'CrackinM'CrakenM'CrakinM'CrynnollM'CrynnyllM'CubbeM'CubeinM'CubeneM'CubynM'CwbeneM'GeeM'GhieM'Gill/M'Geil/M'VeilM'GillechynyM'GillekyneM'GillychynaM'Guaire

Comments or additions to the name "McGehee"

16.04.2024
To Whom it may Concern:

I have a Question I hope that you can Answer it. I don’t know how to ask this Question but ok here I go. I have 3 Ancestors who had the same last name McGehee and their Names Were. Caroline McGehee her Husband Name was Jerry W. Curry. Caroline Father Name was Woo McGehee and Caroline Mother Name was Charlotte McGehee. I have my Receipts because the rest of my Family still have the Property that was Signed off by J.B. McGehee I think that is his name.