Surname Mac Evoy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mac Evoy: What does the surname Mac Evoy mean?
The surname Mac Evoy is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe." The prefix "Mac" means "son of," while "Fhiodhbhuidhe" is thought to mean "woodsman." Therefore, the name Mac Evoy can be interpreted as "son of the woodsman." This surname has various spellings, including McEvoy, MacAvoy, McAvoy, and more, as spellings typically evolved based on phonetic translations when families moved to English-speaking countries. The family with this surname initially belonged to Irish nobility and was known to be the Lords of Fermanagh. Until today, most people with the surname Mac Evoy can trace their ancestry back to Ireland. As such, the name carries a rich cultural and historical significance.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Evoy: Where does the name Mac Evoy come from?
The last name Mac Evoy is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic "Mac Fhiach", meaning "son of the raven". This name was originally a byname for a dark-haired youth or perhaps for someone of an adventurous nature. The name has strong historical roots in Ireland, especially in County Leix (now County Laois), where the Mac Evoys were acknowledged as Lords of Crioch Cualann.
Today, variations of Mac Evoy, such as McEvoy, MacAvoy, and McAvoy, are common in Ireland and are scattered across regions in the United Kingdom. Additionally, due to the waves of Irish diaspora and emigration throughout history, the name can also be found in various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is not among the most common surnames, but one can find several people with this surname in these countries. Notable people with the surname include James McAvoy, a Scottish actor, and Erin McEvoy, an Australian cricketer.
Variations of the surname Mac Evoy
The surname Mac Evoy originates from the Irish surname Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe. This surname underwent many transformations over the centuries due to romanization, regional dialects, and other factors, yielding several variations and spellings. Some of these variants include MacEvoy, McEvoy, McAvoy, McEvay, MacEvy, MacGivney, and McElwee.
The prefix ‘Mac’ or 'Mc' implies 'son of', and there are versions of the name where this prefix is dropped, e.g., Evoy or Avoy. The name may also remain the same while the prefix changes, as in O'Evoy and O'Avoy, where 'O'' denotes 'descendant of'.
McEvoys can also be found under different English translations of the original Irish, such as "Yellow," contributing to the many potential variations of the family name. In certain regions, surnames can be simplified or altered to sound more comfortable to the local population, therefore do not be surprised to find quite different yet related surname variants.
Famous people with the name Mac Evoy
- Lee MacEvoy: She is a well-known Australian actress who has performed in various theatre productions, films, and television shows.
- Gerard McEvoy: He is a recognized British actor known for his roles in "The Crown" and "The Great Train Robbery."
- Michael McEvoy: Michael is a British musician, composer, and record producer who has worked with popular artists like Madonna and Whitney Houston.
- Paul Mac Evoy: Paul is a recognized figure in the film industry, working as a director for numerous horror films.
- Rose McEvoy: Rose is a rising Australian actress who has starred in several high-profile films and TV shows.
- Chris McEvoy: He is recognized in the sports world as a former Australian rules football player in the Victorian Football League. Please note that while these individuals have gained some degree of fame in their respective fields, they may not meet the traditional threshold of "celebrity" status.