Surname MacEveigh - Meaning and Origin
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MacEveigh: What does the surname MacEveigh mean?
The last name MacEveigh is of Irish origin and was first found in the province of Ulster in northeastern Ireland. The surname MacEveigh is derived from Mac an Mhichle, which means “son of the follower.” The Irish Gaelic form of the family name is Mac an Mhicheil, which is still used in some parts of Ulster today.
Notably, MacEveighs have figure prominently in Irish history. The MacEveighs were soldiers in the Irish Civil Wars and were known for their service as lords of Uisneach. Uisneach was the center of all the provinces, and the MacEveighs held the title of Lord of the Rings and were entitled to the services of the other clans. Some of the MacEveighs later served as judges in the Irish court system.
Today, the name MacEveigh is quite rare, although it can still be found in parts of Ireland. In general, people with the last name MacEveigh are associated with a strong sense of pride in their name and in their Irish roots. The MacEveigh family still carries on its traditions of service, honor, and independence. All things considered, the MacEveigh surname is a proud reminder of the strength and resilience of Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEveigh: Where does the name MacEveigh come from?
The MacEveigh surname is most commonly found in Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of Canada, particularly Atlantic Canada. The use of the surname in Scotland is likely due in part to historical migrations of Scottish settlers in the 18th century. In modern times, the frequency of the surname has decreased, and MacEveigh is now more dispersed in countries with a Scottish or Irish heritage.
In Scotland, the lack of frequency of the surname MacEveigh is more pronounced in urban and metropolitan areas in comparison to rural areas, especially in the Eastern part of Scotland. Additionally, MacEveigh is more common in smaller urban communities, indicating a regional concentration of the surname. Furthermore, the surname can be found widely among the Monoghan, Derry, Fermanagh and Antrim areas of Northern Ireland, where there has been historical use of the surname.
In Canada, the surname MacEveigh has been used predominantly in the Maritime Provinces, particularly in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, by a multitude of Scottish and Irish settlers who have since inter-married. The surname is also found in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
The MacEveigh surname is a sign of a particularly Scottish and Irish heritage, and is a name that carries strong links and associations to a particular ancestral area. It is also a reminder of the history of migratory movements – of which there are many – that are a part of the Canadian identity.
Variations of the surname MacEveigh
The surname MacEveigh has several different spellings and variants. The most common variant is the Irish name MacEoghain, which is derived from the Celtic MacEoghainn, meaning ‘son of Eoghan’. Other spellings include MacKeown, McKevaugh, MacEvich, MacEwan, MacEorin, MacEoghan and MacEvin. Variants on the spelling MacEveigh include MacEvoy, MacEvey, MacEvan and MacEvin.
Other surnames of similar origin include MacGee, MacGhey, MacGough, MacGreevy, MacKevney and MacKeon. These surnames all stem from the same root, and many of them can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic race that settled in Scotland and Ireland many centuries ago.
Finally, the more modern derivatives of the MacEveigh surname include McEveigh, McKeveigh and McEvin. These surnames all originating from the original surname, and with the addition of the “Mc” prefix they can be seen to have come from a common source.
Overall, the surname MacEveigh has several different spellings and variants, with the most common spelling being MacEoghain. It is also related to several other surnames stemming from its original source, including MacGee, MacGhey and MacGreevy. The modern derivatives of the surname include McEveigh, McKeveigh and McEvin.
Famous people with the name MacEveigh
- Jason MacEveigh: former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Curran MacEveigh: professional athlete competing in Muay Thai fighting tournaments.
- Douglas MacEveigh: professional dancer and singer in the musical "Wicked".
- Brian MacEveigh: award-winning actor best known for his role as Franklin in the Netflix series, Stranger Things.
- Kolby MacEveigh: film director and producer.
- James MacEveigh: celebrity chef and Food Network judge.
- Sarah MacEveigh: fashion model, designer, and philanthropist.
- Cameron MacEveigh: London-based conceptual visual artist.
- Finley MacEveigh: British Olympic swimmer.
- Rodney MacEveigh: critically acclaimed Canadian jazz saxophonist.