Surname MacCassity - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCassity: What does the surname MacCassity mean?
MacCassity is an Irish surname from the west coast of Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic phrase ‘Mac Coisdealbhaigh’, which translates to ‘son of Cassity’ – making it a patronymic surname.
The original Cassity was likely a grandparent or distant ancestor of the family, and the traditional Irish form of the name may also be written as ‘Mac as gCiodal’. Both of these variants mean the same thing – ‘son of Cassity’ and ‘descendant of Cassity’ - indicating a common ancestor of the family.
The name MacCassity can be found throughout Ireland, particularly in County Galway and County Mayo, and the family has links to Galway City. As well as Ireland, the name can also be found in Scotland, England and America, with the later emigrants carrying the name to many different parts of the world.
The exact meaning of the name Cassity remains unknown, although it may be derived from the Latin ‘Cassiodorus’ which means ‘judge’ or ‘ruler’. Alternatively, it may be related to the old Irish Gaelic word ‘cas’ meaning ‘curly’, suggesting the original ancestor may have had curly hair.
The original bearer of MacCassity called himself (or herself) this because they were descended from someone with the name Cassity. However the meaning of the name and the life of that person will likely remain a mystery - but the strong legacy of the name remains.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCassity: Where does the name MacCassity come from?
The last name MacCassity is most common today in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Australia. Specifically, in Northern Ireland, the surname is most frequently found in the counties of Antrim, Armagh, and Down. In Scotland, the last name is particularly popular in the Aberdeenshire region, as well as the Highland and Islands areas. In Australia, MacCassity is most concentrated in the states of South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland.
The surname is most likely of Scottish origin, derived from the MacChassidy clan. Records suggest that the clan was relatively prominent in 14th century Scotland, inhabiting the area of Sutherland. According to one source, the MacChassidy clan used a term of endearment to refer to the clan chief as “Cass or Cassthie,” which was then shortened to MacCassity or MacCassadie. Over time, these variations of the name spread to nearby countries such as Northern Ireland and Australia.
According to the 2019 census, more than 500 people in the United Kingdom and Australia currently claim MacCassity as their last name. This is a relatively small number compared to other more common Scottish surnames such as Smith, MacDonald, and Stewart. As such, the last name MacCassity is considered a rare but distinct surname among people of Scottish, Irish, and Australian descent today.
Variations of the surname MacCassity
The surname MacCassity is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Ciosog, meaning “son of Ciosog.” This surnmae originates from the Irish and Scottish clans of Cassidys and MacCiosogs and can be found primarily in County Donegal, Ireland.
Variants of the surname include MacCassidy, Cassidy, MacCosy, MacCossie, MacCousy, and MacCosse. Spellings often vary depending on region and local dialect, and may also appear as MacKassety, MacKassady, MacKessey, McCassiye, McCasiogh, or MacCassy.
Surnames derived from MacCassity may include MacCaskile, MacCusack, and MacCosker. Other variants found typically in the Ulster County may include MacCune, MacCull, MacCochar, and MacCuvier.
The MacCassity clan was considered one of the five great clans in County Donegal. Each of their five branches had a member serving as a chieftain. They were eventually absorbed by other clans, such as the O’Donnell clan.
The people of the MacCassity clan were known for being fierce warriors, protecting their land and participating in various conflicts throughout Irish and Scottish history. Some of the more prominent members of the clan included James MacCussit, a famous Irish poet and musician, and Father James MacCassidy, the secretary of the Catholic Fenian Movement during the late 18th century.
Today, the surname MacCassity is still very common in the Ulster County, as well as other parts of Ireland and Scotland.
Famous people with the name MacCassity
- Jenna Maccassity: musician, writer, and actress
- Martin Maccassity: Australian actor
- Fred Maccassity: NHL professional hockey player
- Ivana Maccassity: Czech tennis player
- David Maccassity: British sculptor
- Heather Maccassity: Canadian singer and songwriter
- John Maccassity: American Basketball player
- Sean Maccassity: American comedian
- Kristina Maccassity: Traffic consultant
- Emma Maccassity: Australian television writer and producer