Surname MacEvoy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacEvoy: What does the surname MacEvoy mean?
The last name MacEvoy is of Irish origin and has its roots in the Gaelic name "Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe." The prefix "Mac" in Irish means "son of" while "Fhiodhbhuidhe" translates to "the woodman," hence the meaning "son of the woodman." The variations of this name, including McEvoy, MacAvoy, and McAvoy, result from the transliteration of this Gaelic name into English, a process which lacked standardized rules leading to the multiple versions known today. It's primarily associated with the County Laois region in Ireland where the MacEvoys were recognized as lords of Crioch-Mhac-Ua bhFeodhaigh, a territory in this area. Over time, the name has spread across the world due to Irish diaspora. Nonetheless, it's still commonly found in Ireland, particularly in its region of origin.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEvoy: Where does the name MacEvoy come from?
The surname MacEvoy is an Irish surname, originating from the Gaelic name "Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe," which means "son of the yellow-haired." Its root, “Fhiodhbhuidhe,” is derived from "Fiodh" meaning wood, and "Buidhe" meaning yellow.
This surname has had several variations over the years, with other common forms including McEvoy, MacAvoy, McAvoy, and others. It was originally prominent in counties Laois and Kilkenny in Ireland where the MacEvoys were chieftains in Cineal Fhiachach, part of the kingdom of Leinleach.
Today, while the MacEvoy name has spread globally due to Irish diaspora, it's still quite common in Ireland. It can also be found in countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia, where significant Irish communities reside. However, its frequency is relatively low and it is not among the most common surnames in these regions.
Variations of the surname MacEvoy
The surname MacEvoy has various spelling and derivative variants that have emerged over centuries due to regional dialects, cultural influences, and phonetic spellings. Variants of the surname MacEvoy include McEvoy, MacAvoy, McAvoys, McAvoy, McEvoys, Makavey, McEwen, MacEwen, Mackevoy, Macevoy, McKevoys, and Makavoys.
In some cases, the "Mac" or "Mc" prefix, denoting 'son of', may also be dropped, leading to variations such as Evoy or Avoy. The surname can also be anglicized into forms like Johnson (meaning 'son of John'), as the original Gaelic form of the name MacÉibhir signifies 'son of Ivor/John'.
Some of these variations might have transformed into distinct surnames over time due to migration and regional influences. Also, transcription errors by clerks and census takers, plus the fact that many people were illiterate and did not know how to correctly spell their names, have led to the creation of many spelling versions of the same original surname. All these factors have resulted in a rich tapestry of surname variations originating from the same root surname.
Famous people with the name MacEvoy
- Rafe MacEvoy: Rafe MacEvoy is a well-known comedy writer based in Los Angeles. He has worked on several hit shows like "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
- Tara MacEvoy: Tara is known in Ireland as a journalist, working for the prestigious 'The Irish Times.' She is also a screenwriter and has written for BBC Three.
- Liam MacEvoy: Liam MacEvoy is best known for his acting role as Heath Branning in the popular British soap opera, 'EastEnders.'
- Paul MacEvoy: Paul MacEvoy is a UK-based film director. He is popularly known for his work on the FrightFest film festival.
- Jane MacEvoy: Jane was an actress widely known for her appearance in the TV show, "The Apprentice" (UK) in 2012.
- Siobhan MacEvoy: Siobhan is an Irish author acclaimed for her novels like "Fresh Start" and "A Second Chance." Please note that overall, the surname 'MacEvoy' isn't particularly common in the world of fame; there may be other professionals with this surname in various fields, but the listed ones are generally best known.