Surname MacKelvey - Meaning and Origin

MacKelvey: What does the surname MacKelvey mean?

The surname MacKelvey is an Anglicized form of the Scottish surname Mac Gille Bhuidhe, which itself originated from the Scottish Gaelic phrase “Mac Gille Bhuidhe” which translates roughly to “son of the yellow-haired servant”. Thus, the MacKelvey family hails from Scotland, and are thought to have descended from the Earls of Lennox in the 1300s.

The MacKelvey name carries a great and long history. It is believed that the first MacKelvey was a powerful family man and held a great estate known as “Garniniarg,” located near the town of Dumbarton on the banks of the River Clyde. He and his descendants were thought to be sophisticated and skillful landowners, contributing greatly to Scotland’s cultural and political background. Records show that several MacKelvey’s were involved in the crafting of several formation of both Scotland’s common law and governmental enquiry.

The MacKelvey name were spread across the world due to the widespread immigration of the nineteenth century. This led to various branches of the MacKelvey family appearing around the globe from the United States and Canada, to Australia and even further afield.

Today, the MacKelvey family name can still be seen in various parts of the world. From its Scottish roots and the proud and ancient past of its ancestors, the legacy of the MacKelvey family name and heritage is still very much alive and respected by many.

MacKelvey: Where does the name MacKelvey come from?

The last name MacKelvey is of Scottish origin, as evidenced by its spelling and the fact that the word ‘Kelvey’ is derived from the Gaelic MacSuibhne. There are over 1300 people in the United States using the surname MacKelvey today. It is most common in the southeastern United States, particularly in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia. It is also present in some numbers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland. Outside of the United States, MacKelvey is found in relatively low numbers in Canada and the United Kingdom. There has not been large-scale migration of the MacKelvey surname outside of these countries, meaning that one's chance of encountering a MacKelvey abroad are relatively low. As of 2019, the population of MacKelveys in the United States is projected to remain largely unchanged for the foreseeable future, barring a large-scale event such as a significant diaspora.

Variations of the surname MacKelvey

The variants, spellings, and surnames of MacKelvey all originate from the original Scottish Gaelic form of the name, which is Mac Ailbheith. Other versions of the name that have evolved over time include McElvey, McCalvey, McAlvey, McElwain, McAlevey, McCalvie, Mackalvey, McKelvey, McKelwie, Macalvey, McCalvie, MacKelvey, and McKelvie.

MacKelvey is a habitational name, derived from the place-name is derived from the lands of Mac Ailbheith near Loch Fyne in Argyll in northwestern Scotland. The surname likely developed in the late 17th century, when people adopted fixed surnames as part of the Lowland Scots culture and language.

The spelling of these names have shifted over time, depending on region and language. In Scots Gaelic, the influence of the old language is demonstrated through spelling variations. The name also has regional variations, with some areas using predominantly Irish spellings and others primarily using English ones. Some of the more common modern-day spellings include MacKelvey, McCalvey, McElvey, and McAlvey.

The surname is fairly rare but is found across Europe as a result of migration, particularly to the United States. Many people with the name MacKelvey can be found in the northern states, particularly in New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. Families from Scotland who legally changed their surnames to MacKelvey when they arrived in the United States have had the name spread further.

No matter the origin, spelling, or surname variation, the MacKelvey name likely originated from the same Scottish family. This name has become an integral part of many different families' histories, and its variants and spellings represent the deep roots of these families.

Famous people with the name MacKelvey

• Bob MacKelvey: a retired American football player who played two seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals (1974–1975).
• Art MacKelvey: a retired ice hockey coach and former player who spent his career as a professional coach in the Eastern Hockey League and American Hockey League.
• Robert Bruce MacKelvey: an American traveling prospector, miner, author, mountaineer and entrepreneur who during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, explored and wrote about Alaska, British Columbia, Mexico, and the American West.
• Adam MacKelvey: an American actor, known for his portrayal of 'Jonah' in Michael Dougherty's 2019 horror/comedic cinema release, Tragic Kingdom.
• Sam MacKelvey: an American actor and producer, best known for his lead role in the crime-drama series, Smokebreakers.
• Margaret MacKelvey: an American visual artist, writer, and businesswoman who is known for her vibrant and surrealist works of art.
• Matt MacKelvey: an American entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of the successful and innovative software company, AllSocial.
• Colleen MacKelvey: an American medical doctor who is a Professor of Family Medicine and Biomedical Informatics a the University of California, San Francisco.
• Michael MacKelvey: an American film and television actor, known for his roles in the feature films, Why We're Here and The Bell Tree.
• Bob MacKelvey: an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer best known for his YouTube channel, Bob Comedy.

Other surnames

MacKelvieMacKelvy