Surname MacCamie - Meaning and Origin
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MacCamie: What does the surname MacCamie mean?
The last name MacCamie is of Scotch-Irish origin, which denotes a person who came from Ireland and settled in Scotland. It is an anglicized spelling of the Gaelic Mac Shamhaigh, derived from the personal name MacShamhaigh, which means Son of Shamhaigh. This name was high in status and used by some of the most important and influential families in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The MacCamie surname is most often linked to the Northern region of Ireland but may be found in various parts of Scotland as well. It can be found as far south as Dublin. Over time, the spelling of the surname has changed in a variety of ways, such as MacCumie, MacCumy, MacComie, and McCumy.
In Scotland, the name MacCamie is found commonly in the regions of Fife and the inner-Hebrides. It is also found in Northern Ireland, specifically in County Donegal. Some variations have been recorded in England and North America.
The MacCamie clan was initially located around Loch Shiel and Loch Moidart in Scotland, before spreading out in the area of Glencoe and Glenfinnan. Many MacCamie’s emigrated to Northern Ireland and then on to America, particularly during the early 1800s.
Thus, the name MacCamie is derived from a blend of Gaelic and English culture. It is a proud name, passed down through generations, celebrating a shared tradition and evoking a strong sense of independence and identity.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCamie: Where does the name MacCamie come from?
The last name MacCamie is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland today. The name originated in the Highlands of Scotland in the early 14th century from the Scottish Gaelic clan name mac Thamhair.
MacCamie, also spelled MacCamy, is a patronymic name derived from the Gaelic personal name Tamhair, which means twin. This name was brought to Scotland by the Gaels and is found mainly in the western and northern parts of the country. The name is fairly common in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dumbarton, Inverness, Kyle, and Aberdeen today.
In Ireland, MacCamie is found most frequently in the counties of Galway, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Leitrim, and Fermanagh. Galway is the area that shows the strongest population of MacCamie family members today.
Most individuals with the last name MacCamie rely heavily on family ties, clanships, and family stories to trace their origins. Depending on the clan, it is said that many individuals with the MacCamie name were skilled tradespeople such as masons, ironworkers, blacksmiths, and weavers.
Today, the MacCamie name is a recognized name amongst the Gaels of Scotland and Ireland. While the original use of the name was to indicate a relationship to the ancestor Tamhair, today the name is used primarily as a surname or given name.
Variations of the surname MacCamie
The surname MacCamie is a variation or variant of the surname MacCammie, which is itself an Anglicized form of the Gaelic family name Mac Cearbhaill. The MacCearbhaill family originated in County Donegal, Ireland. The MacCamie spelling of the name is particularly associated with the area in the Inishowen peninsula of Donegal known as InishmacCammie.
The different spellings of the surname that are likely to be encountered are MacCatchy, MacKamie, McCamie, MacCammy, MacKammy, MacCamee, MacCamy, Mccamys, MacKeowny, MacKeowney, MacKemmy, MacNemmy, MacCromy, MacMcamy, and MacKemy. Additionally, some families have adopted the more Anglicized spelling of Kamy and Camy.
The surname MacCamie or any of its variations have been associated with other county names in Donegal in addition to being closely tied to the Inishowen peninsula. However, due to the Anglicization of names in Donegal, many MacCamie families have adopted different surnames, such as Murray, MacManus, MacMahon, and Quinn.
All of these surnames have strong connections to the MacCearbhaill family name, and many of the families in Donegal who use the MacCamie surname are descended from that same family. Despite the various spellings and surnames adopted by the MacCearbhaill family, the MacCamie spelling remains a distinct identifier of the same origin.
Famous people with the name MacCamie
- Eugenia MacCamy: She is an actress, known for plays such as Jitterbug Jam and Scenes from a Marriage.
- George MacCamy: He is a Scottish footballer who has made over 200 appearances in the Scottish Premier League.
- Chris MacCamy: an American professional basketball player who has played for various teams around the world including the Denver Nuggets and Fenerbahçe.
- Piers MacCamy: a British actor known for TV shows such as Downton Abbey and the movie Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
- Tony MacCamy: an American film director who has directed films such as Spring Breakdown, Accepted, and How to Be a Latin Lover.
- Susan MacCamy: a Canadian poet and professor of English literature at the University of Toronto.
- Isabel MacCamy: a painter known for her landscape and portrait paintings.
- Conan MacCamy: a Scottish actor best known for his roles in films such as Braveheart, Gangs of New York, and The Phantom of the Opera.
- Duncan MacCamy: a Scottish rugby player who represented Scotland in the Five Nations and World Cup matches.
- Kelly MacCamy: an Irish singer-songwriter best known for her hit single “Dreams”.