Surname MacCuag - Meaning and Origin
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MacCuag: What does the surname MacCuag mean?
The last name MacCuag is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origins. The word Mac translates to son of, while Cuag in this context likely either means 'son of Cú' - meaning hound - or 'son of Cu', meaning 'well-formed'. Depending on which interpretation of the root origin is preferred, this could imply that MacCuag is a patronymic surname, meaning 'son of the son of the hound', or 'son of the son of the well-formed one'.
The MacCuag surname has been around since at least the 16th century, when a family of the name were living in the Braes of Angus in eastern Scotland. Historians theorize that the family were originally from nearby Aberdeenshire, but were driven from their homeland by conflicts and famine. During this time, the MacCuag family established itself in Braes of Angus by working as farmers and cattle herders.
MacCuag family members have since gone on to become prominent in various fields, notably academic and religious positions. Examples include 70th Principal of Glasgow University, the Very Rev. Charles MacCuag, and prominent Catholic Bishop Dr David MacCuag.
The MacCuag name, its spelling variations and variations in meaning, have spread far and wide across Scotland and the world. Many people who bear this name remain in Scotland, but the name has become popular in America, Australia, and other countries as well. The MacCuags are a proud people, with a long and distinguished history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCuag: Where does the name MacCuag come from?
The name MacCuag is derived from the old Irish Mac Magh Cuag, which translates to "son of the son of Cuag". It is a fairly uncommon surname today and it is primarily found in Ireland and Scotland. It is most populous in the Republic of Ireland, where it is the 99th most frequent surname with a population of about 360 people. It is particularly concentrated in Counties Donegal, Fermanagh and Derry.
In Scotland, the name is much less widespread, with only about 79 people having this surname. It is mainly concentrated in Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh.
The name is also present in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and several other countries, although the numbers are generally quite small in each country. In the US, for example, there are only around 128 people with the surname MacCuag.
The closest spelling of the name in the US is McCaughey, but it is also usually very rare in the US, with a population of less than 300 people.
Variations of the surname MacCuag
The surname MacCuag is most commonly found in the Scottish Highlands, where it refers to the clan primarily from the lochside church ruins of Saint Cula in Balquhidder, Perthshire. It is an anglicised version of the Gaelic personal name, Mac a'Chuag, which translates to "son of the cuckoo". As such, there are several different variants, spellings and surnames that have the same macCuaig origin.
The surname MacCuaig is the most common version of the spelling of the name. Other derivatives of the name include MacQuaig, MacQuaigue, MacCuaig, MacCuaige, MacQua, MacGuaig, MacCua, MacKuig and MacKuaig. The name is also found as MacUag and McCutcheon in Ireland.
The name is also associated with an alternate Scottish version, Macugh, and its variants, MacUg, MacKugh, MacGhugh, MacGough, MacGought, MacGoughie, and MacGuguie. The Irish surnames O'Ag and O'Cuaig have the same origin, and are derived from the Gaelic O'hAchadha and O'Cuaigh.
Some of the more modern derivative spellings of the name include MacCaw, MacCaugh, MacCawg and MacCough. Some of the anglicised surnames that have sprung up from the original MacCuaig name include Kew, Khew, Kuggie, Kewg and Kewggy.
Overall, the number of variants, spellings and surnames that have the same origin as the surname MacCuaig is vast, and further research is necessary to determine if any of them have any shared history or ancestral ties.
Famous people with the name MacCuag
- Bryan MacCuag: Scottish fashion designer
- Gordon MacCuag: Actor
- Anna MacCuag: Opera singer
- Joseph MacCuag: Famous doctor
- David MacCuag: Football coach
- John MacCuag: Lawyer and politician
- Laura MacCuag: Singer-songwriter
- Eileen MacCuag: Actress
- Gordon MacCuag Jr.: Actor and musician
- Samantha MacCuag: Social Media Personality