Surname McKevitt - Meaning and Origin
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McKevitt: What does the surname McKevitt mean?
The surname McKevitt is of Irish origin, thought to be derived from the old Irish personal name Mac Ui bhFithich, which translates to "son of the raven". This may originate from a tradition in ancient Ireland for warriors to take on a nickname that invoked the strength, intelligence, and mystery of a raven in battle.
The name has evolved over time, with its various spellings reflecting the sometimes difficult to read Irish Gaelic alphabet. There are many forms, including MacKevitt, Kevitt, and Kevit, along with variants McEvitt, M’Kevitt and M’Evitt. Other variants include Mac UiBhFithich and MacKevy.
The McKevitts were found predominantly in the counties of Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone. They were landowners and farmers for centuries, and even served as local leaders in their communities. The name may also be associated with the surname McKee, with some scholars suggesting that the two names are closely connected.
Today, the name McKevitt is most common in Ireland. It can be found across the globe, however, in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. It continues to be a proud reminder of the ancient Irish culture and its perseverance throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKevitt: Where does the name McKevitt come from?
The last name McKevitt is most commonly found in Ireland. It is an Irish name of Gaelic origin, meaning “son of the carpenter.” McKevitt is most popularly found in Northern Ireland as a result of the Plantation of Ulster that occurred in the 1600s, when British and Scottish settlers came to the area. During this time, many people adopted the surnames of their employers or landlords, resulting in the spread of the McKevitt surname throughout the area.
In the present day,McKevitt can be found across not only Ireland, but also in British Isles, the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and various other countries around the world. It is one of the more common Irish surnames, ranking as the 48th most popular in the country according to some research. There’s even a Facebook group for people with the surname, helping to connect those with the name world-wide.
The surname is probably most popularly known due to the well-known Irish poet and playwright, Patrick McKevitt (1635-1712). His work is still revered in Ireland today, and his name has become a well known symbol of Irish culture and literature.
Variations of the surname McKevitt
The common variants, spellings and surnames of McKevitt are McKevitt, Mac Kevitt, Mackevitt, McKevett, Mc Evitt, and Makivitt. All of these surnames are taken from the Irish surname "Mac Éimhe" which means "son of Eimhe".
The spelling of the last name will vary depending on the region of Ireland in which the family settled. For example, in the south and south-east of Ireland, the spelling is more often than not McKevitt while in the north and north-west of Ireland, the spelling is more common as MacKevitt.
McEvitt and Makivitt are not as common variants of the name as the more recognisable McKevitt and MacKevitt, however, there are documented instances in which it is used.
It is also common for the Irish to Anglicise their surnames when they emigrate, to fit in with the country in which they have settled. For this reason, is not unusual to come across the surname spelled as McKevett or MacEvett especially in countries such as the United States or Canada.
In some cases, the name McKevitt can also be written as Kippett, Kivett, Kavett and Kevitt. These spellings may be more common in the North of Ireland due to dialectical influences.
No matter how the name is spelled, all the variants and surnames are derived from the same origin.
Famous people with the name McKevitt
- Sean McKevitt: British track and field athlete and model
- Éamonn McKevitt: former Irish Gaelic football manager
- Stephen McKevitt: American actor
- Nicky McKevitt: member of the Irish rock band The Script
- Bob McKevitt: former professional American soccer player
- Wayne McKevitt: former professional American football player
- Clark McKevitt: American Paralympic athlete
- Gillian McKevitt: Irish academic
- Anthony McKevitt: former Irish politician
- Patrick McKevitt: member of the Northern Ireland Assembly