Surname MacKimm - Meaning and Origin
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MacKimm: What does the surname MacKimm mean?
The surname MacKimm is a rare Scottish surname derived from the the Scottish Gaelic Mac Giomach. It is believed to be a patronymic form of the personal name "Giomach". A patronymic is a surname derived from the name of the bearer's father, and in this case, ‘Giomach’would have been the father’s first name.
The likely origin of the name Giomach is from the Gaelic prefix "mac" which translates to “son of” combined with the personal name "Gio" which is a pet form of the name Giolla, a male given name meaning “youth, lad”. The suffix “ach” is typically found in names of Scottish origin meaning “son of”, making MacKimm a literal translation of “son of the son of Gio”.
It is thought that the first family to adopt this surname were from the Argyll region of Scotland, which is now known as the western highlands. This area is known for its rugged coastal landscape dotted with rocky islands and dramatic cliffs. Historically, this region was home to the MacKimm Clan and their descendants, who earned their living from farming and fishing. It is also possible that the MacKimm family had links to the mainland as well, having close ties to the Clan MacFarlane and other clans in the area.
MacKimm can be found as a given name, a surname, and in several different versions of Scottish clan tartan designs. Today, the surname is still found throughout the world, and its bearers carry on its proud and enduring heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKimm: Where does the name MacKimm come from?
The MacKimm surname is found mainly in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom today. The name is believed to have originated in Galloway, in the southwest of Scotland, and is popular throughout the country. In Scotland, the name is primarily concentrated in the urban areas of Glasgow and Edinburgh with families of the name being well established in both cities.
The MacKimm name is also found in other parts of the UK, and particularly in the English city of Manchester. In Ireland, the name is concentrated in counties Kerry, Cork and Dublin and is often Anglicized to McKim.
The MacKimm surname can also be found in other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is believed that the name was carried to North America with Irish emigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Today, MacKimm is still a popular surname amongst those of Scottish ancestry, particularly in Scotland and other parts of the UK. The name is well established and commonly found in the countries mentioned, as well as in Ireland and the USA.
Variations of the surname MacKimm
The surname MacKimm is an Anglicized spelling of the Gaelic MacShimidh which originated in Scotland and Northern Ireland. MacKimm is a patronymic name derived from the Gaelic MacShimidh meaning the “son of Shimidh”. There are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin derived from the original Gaelic MacShimidh.
Variants of MacKimm include MacKim, Mackim, Mackimmy, MacKemy, and Mackamy. Spellings of the surname include MacShimmidh, MacShimidh, MacShammy, and MacChimmy.
The surnames with a similar origin as MacKimm include McShimidh, McShimmidh, McChimmy, McShemy, Shemy, McKimmy, and McChamy. It is also possible that some of these surnames have mutated over time and have been further modified.
In Scotland, the name is associated with the County of Moray and other parts of Northern Ireland. It can also be found in Canada, most notably in Nova Scotia, where it is quite common.
In the U.S., the name is rare, but it can be found particularly in New England, Maine, and Massachusetts. The pronunciation of the name MacKimm is generally pronounced “mack-im” or “mah-kim”. The name can also be shortened to “Kimm” or “Kim” to create a nickname.
Famous people with the name MacKimm
- Louis MacKimm: Actor who has worked on TV's such as Pie in the Sky and Doctor Who and on films such as The Queen and The Five.
- Jock MacKimm: British World War II fighter pilot whose voluntary service with the Royal Air Force was recognized with the Distinguished Flying Cross.
- Robert MacKimm: Novelist, short story writer, and poet whose works include The Castle of Perilous and The Coil of Life.
- David MacKimm: Composer and music producer whose work includes the classical piece "The Beauty of Humanity."
- Heather MacKimm: Actress whose roles included roles in ITV's Coronation Street and Channel 4's No Offence.
- Jamie MacKimm: Former professional football player who played as a forward for his local team Bristol Rovers.
- Andy MacKimm: Professional racecar driver who participated in events including the British Touring Car Championship.
- Simon MacKimm: Award-winning comedic actor, writer, and director whose projects include the Fresh Meat and Sherlock spoof "The Baskerville Exam."
- John MacKimm: Scottish entrepreneur whose family-run business manufactures and distributes renewable energy systems.
- Cate MacKimm: Internationally renowned violinist, whose award-winning musical career includes being named principal violin of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.