Surname MacAfee - Meaning and Origin
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MacAfee: What does the surname MacAfee mean?
MacAfee is a Scottish and Irish surname of Gaelic origin, derived from the Mac Dhuibhshíthe clan, which translates to "son of Duibhshíth." The name Duibhshíth itself is compound of two elements: "Dubh" means black or dark referring to one's hair color, complexion or perhaps a darker aspect of one's character, and "síth" means peace, implying the person is a peacemaker. Therefore, this name is often translated to mean "Son of the Black Peace". Over the years, the surname has seen variant spellings such as MacAfee, McAfee, MacFie, MacPhee, and MacDuffie. It was common for a person to be known by several different spellings throughout their lifetime as names often changed according to how it was pronounced phonetically. The MacAfee surname suggests that the original bearers were descendants of a peace-making dark-haired ancestor. The surname is predominantly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAfee: Where does the name MacAfee come from?
The last name MacAfee is of Scottish origin. It originates from the Gaelic name "Mac Dhuibhshíthe", which translates to "son of Duibhshíthe", a personal name composed of the elements "dubh" meaning "black" and "síth" meaning "peace". During the 17th century, many MacAfees migrated from Scotland to Ireland, particularly to the region of Ulster. The name could also possibly have Irish origins from the Gaelic MacDhuibhshíthe or Ó Fiaich.
In the present day, the surname is most common in countries like the United States, Scotland, England, and Ireland, reflecting historic migration patterns of Scots-Irish individuals to America and the dispersion across the United Kingdom. The modified variations of the spelling such as McAfee, MacAffee, or Mcafee are also seen in these regions. Despite its origins, the name isn't exceptionally common in Scotland or Ireland but maintains a presence due to historical lineage.
Variations of the surname MacAfee
MacAfee is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. Like many Irish surnames, it comes from a familial nickname, in this case meaning 'son of Dubhshíth', the original Gaelic name being Mac Dhuibhshíthe.
Various spellings and variations of the surname MacAfee arise due to different phonetic translations from the original Gaelic, historical changes in spelling, and regional differences. Some of the most common variants of this surname include McAfee, MacAffee, McAffee, MacAfee, Mcafee, MacAfee, McAfea, MacAfea, and McAffy.
Other variants also include McAfie, MacAfie, McAafoo, McAfoos, and McAfey. The prefixes "Mac" or "Mc" can be used interchangeably, both meaning 'son of'. The use of "a" or "o" in the name sometimes varies as well, due to phonetic translations.
In some cases, completely different spellings can still represent the same surname, such as the case with MacCaffrey, McCaffrey, MacGivney, McGivney, and even Caffrey. These names are all seen as variants of the same original Gaelic surname.
It's important to note, the origins and exact variants of Irish surnames can be complex and can vary widely depending on the source.
Famous people with the name MacAfee
- John McAfee: John McAfee is a British-American computer programmer, businessman, and founder of the software company McAfee Associates in 1987. He is best known for his contributions to the development of computer antivirus software.
- Andrew McAfee: Andrew McAfee is a principal researcher at the MIT Sloan School of Management where he examines the emergence of digital technologies and their potential societal benefits. He is co-author of the book The Second Machine Age.
- Tellis McAfee: Tellis McAfee is an American mathematician who works primarily in algebra and finite model theory. He is a professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley.
- Ryan McAfee: Ryan McAfee is a former professional volleyball player turned real estate investor, speaker, and coach. He is the founder of Volleyball Capital, a company that specializes in the purchase, renovation, and management of residential real estate investments.
- Casey McAfee: Casey McAfee is an American professional Olympic-distance triathlete from Utah. He has won multiple USAT triathlon championships, and also won the Escape From Alcatraz triathlon in 2015.
- Mike McAfee: Mike McAfee is an American former professional basketball player, best known for his National Basketball Association (NBA) career with the New Jersey Nets. He was named in the All-Star team in 1983.
- Sam McAfee: Sam McAfee is an American former professional basketball player best known for his professional career in the American Basketball Association and the World Basketball League.
- Robert McAfee: Robert McAfee, MD, FACP, is a physician, author, and leader in the field of healthcare. He is the former CEO and Chairman of the Board at the American Medical Association (AMA). He also served as Senior Vice President of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.