Surname McGreene - Meaning and Origin

McGreene: What does the surname McGreene mean?

The last name McGreene is derived from the Scottish surname McGreg. It comes from the combination of the Gaelic words "Mac" and "Griogair" meaning "son of Gregory". Gregory is a personal name that comes from the Latin "Gregorius", which means "watchful" or "in vigilant guard".

McGreene would have also been a form of more general surname, Mac an Ghabhaire, meaning "son of the smith". This was a surname given to people whose occupation were connected to the working of metal. This could have been anything from making axes to armor.

McGreene is a common surname in Scotland and Ireland, particularly in the Lowlands of Scotland where it first originated. It is also a popular surname in other countries like the United States, Australia, and Canada due to emigration of Scots and Irish in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, there are many variations of the name, such as McGreene, McGropen, and MacGrawen.

Finally, McGreene is an indicator of Scottish and Irish heritage and culture. It reflects the history of these two peoples, their struggles, and their successors. The name encapsulates a proud ancestral identity and is a reminder of the importance of holding onto one's heritage.

McGreene: Where does the name McGreene come from?

The last name McGreene is most commonly associated with Ireland, with several branches found there today. In particular, the McGreene name is associated with County Galway, where the McGreene's ancestral roots can be traced back to as far as the mid-19th century. Records show that the McGreene family has been residing in rural parts of Galway for many generations and today, there are several communities and extended families present there.

The surname McGreene can also be found outside of Ireland, with large pockets present in the United States of America. Globally, a search for the surname McGreene yields scattered results in Ireland, the UK and other parts of Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand. It appears to be most common in North America however, where it is a relatively widespread name. Research conducted by the United States Census Bureau in 2020 found that the surname McGreene was most common in the state of New York, where it was ranked in the top 5,000 names.

In summary, McGreene is a remarkably common name in Ireland, shared by several extended families. It is also becoming increasingly popular in the United States, where more people are bearing the name. It can also be found in other parts of the world, although much less frequently.

Variations of the surname McGreene

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname McGreene include McGreevy, Magraith, McGrath, Magrane, McGrane, MacGraith, MacGreevy, MacGrath, MacGrane, McGraith, Magrath, Magrath, McGrith, Magreith, Magrieth, MacGrith, McGrith, MacGreith, MacGrieth and McGuire.

McGreevy is an anglicised variant of the Irish spelling of the name, and it is possible that the more Celtic Magraith may be derived from the same Gaelic root.

McGrath/McGrane is another possible variant, with some families in Scotland adopting the surname during the 16th and 17th centuries. It is unclear whether the two names are related to each other directly, or they are entirely different names from different sources.

MacGraith/MacGreavy and MacGrath are early forms of spelling used for the families who settled in Ulster. The former being a more Gaelic form, whilst the latter is believed to have been the version used by Anglicised families.

Two variants of the Griffith/Grieth spelling are also linked to the McGreene surname; the Celtic Magrath and the Gaelic Magrieth.

McGuire is an Anglicised form of the surname which has also been linked to McGreene. However, as it is an extremely common surname in Ireland, it is likely to be of a different origin.

Famous people with the name McGreene

• Christopher Mc Greene: NBA Player
• Ric Mc Greene: Retired US Marine and Former NFL Player
• Tom Mc Greene: President of NATO
• Ashley Mc Greene: Actress
• Diane Mc Greene: Politician
• Michael Mc Greene: Musician
• Stephen Mc Greene: Former NFL Player
• Melissa Mc Greene: Photographer
• Dan Mc Greene: Motivational Speaker
• Colleen Mc Greene: TV Host
• Martin Mc Greene: Actor
• Julie Mc Greene: Ice Skater
• Maggie Mc Greene: Broadway Actress
• Jack Mc Greene: Stand-Up Comic
• Glenn Mc Greene: Environmental Activist
• Cynthia Mc Greene: Author
• Gus Mc Greene: Businessman
• Sean Mc Greene: Radio Host
• Don Mc Greene: Corporate Lawyer
• Thomas Mc Greene: Banker

Other surnames

McGreenMcGreevy