Surname McGuffog - Meaning and Origin
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McGuffog: What does the surname McGuffog mean?
The surname McGuffog originates from the old Gaelic given or personal name Mac Gobha and originated in Scotland. This surname is derived from the Gaelic word “gobha” which means smith. This suggests the original bearer of this name was likely to have been a blacksmith by trade. It is also likely that the original bearer of the name McGuffog was a leader of the Clan MacGuffog, who were a sept of the larger Clan MacNeacail in the North West of Scotland in the region known as Wester Ross.
The surname has evolved over time and can be found as McGuffog, McGuffock, McGuffick, McGuffogit, McGuffie, MacGuffy, Magee and variants. It is likely to be found most prevalently in the regions where it originated: Scotland and Ireland. It is also possible for it to be found in other areas worldwide where Scots and Anglophones have migrated.
McGuffog is often seen as a surname that possesses a strong sense of loyalty, friendship and precedence. It is one which possesses a strong connection to family history and tradition as a whole, representing a valuable piece of Scotland and Irish history. In many ways, the surname McGuffog serves as a reminder of the rich cultural and traditional history of Scotland and Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGuffog: Where does the name McGuffog come from?
The surname McGuffog is believed to have originated in Scotland, where it is still quite common today. The name is most frequently found in the Aberdeenshire region in the North East of the country, where records of the name go back as far as the 14th century.
The name is believed to have derived from a nickname given to an ancestor who displayed unusually strong physical attributes, stemming from the Scottish Gaelic terms ‘Mac’ and ‘gubh’ which mean ‘son of’ and ‘strong’ respectively.
McGuffog can still be seen in the Scottish diaspora today. It is a relatively common name in Australia, in particular, due to the large number of Scottish immigrants who travelled from their homeland to the Commonwealth during the 19th century. In addition, the name can also be found in New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and numerous other countries across the world.
The spelling of the name has changed slightly on several occasions over the centuries, often due to variations in pronunciation, and today, many variants such as MacGuffog, Maguffog, Fuffog, and MacGouffe exist.
Variations of the surname McGuffog
The surname McGuffog is a Scottish name which is also found in Ireland. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Cúogaidh, which is derived from the Old Norse personal name Kúgr. This name is also spelled with a variety of variants such as McGuffey, Guffeg, Gough, McGough, Guffey and MacCuffie.
The McGuffog surname is quite popular in Scotland and Ireland and is associated with several different clans. In Scotland, the surname is common amongst the McGuffeys of County Antrim, the MacCuffs of County Down and the Guffeys of County Armagh. The McGuffey clan was of Ulster stock, while the MacCuff and Guffey families sourced from Scottish Highland clans.
The McGuffog surname is also known to be found in various forms in various parts of Europe. In Italy, it is spelled as McGuffico, as a Sicilian variant. In Portugal, it has been found as Guffsse. In Ireland, it takes more commonly the form of McGough or MacGough. In England, the surname has been found as McGough, Guffley, Gough, Goff, Goughy and Guffin.
Overall, the surname McGuffog is quite varied and has different spellings and variants depending on the region or country. These variants make for a rich variety of family names which hail from the same origin and are still recognised as related.
Famous people with the name McGuffog
- Robert McGuffog: a Scottish bacteriologist who studied diseases such as leprosy, tuberculosis, and malaria.
- Heather McGuffog: a Canadian artist who works in painting and photography.
- Joseph McGuffog: an American biologist who studied plant viruses and insect-vectored plant diseases.
- Frank McGuffog: a Scottish Trotskyist writer and socialist activist.
- John McGuffog: an Australian physicist known for his work in molecular dynamics.
- Joseph McGuffog: an American Civil War veteran who served in the Union Army.
- Isabella McGuffog: an English art historian and scholar of Italian Renaissance art and culture.
- Wilfred McGuffog: a Canadian engineer and inventor who developed the McGuffog-Gibson aircraft engine.
- Charles McGuffog: a Scottish industrialist and inventor best known for his inventions in the mining and railroad industries.
- Joseph McGuffog Jr.: an English barrister and judge who served as a High Court judge.