Surname MacKimmie - Meaning and Origin
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MacKimmie: What does the surname MacKimmie mean?
The surname MacKimmie is an anglicized version of the Gaelic patronymic MacShimidh, which is derived from the personal name Shimidh. In the 17th century, the Clan MacKimmie was known to dominate the Inverness area of Scotland. Historically, the name refers to an individual of the MacKimmie clan and was likely used to distinguish that particular person from others of the same name.
The MacKimmie clan was known to be a part of the larger Clan Chattan, which was a collective of many different clans in the Inverness area. Clan Chattan honored MacKimmie in a special way, as they were regarded for their loyalty and heroism. Clan members were well-respected, and they still are today.
The ancient symbol of Clan MacKimmie is a wildcat, which can be traced back to a Clan Chattan battle in which its members all wore catskins to ward off cannon fire. In modern times, the MacKimmie surname is not as prominent as it once was, though clusters of the name can be found mostly in Scotland and in some of Scotland’s former colonies.
The MacKimmie name is synonymous with loyalty, bravery, and strength, as it has been these values that have carried the clan through the centuries. As was the case for many Scottish clans, MacKimmie eventually transitioned from a clan-based system to one of individual family units, and the name remains as a sign of the tradition and perseverance of the Scottish people.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKimmie: Where does the name MacKimmie come from?
The last name MacKimmie is still quite common today, primarily throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, and North America. It can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, France, and South Africa.
MacKimmie originated from the Scottish-Gaelic clan name MacTómais, which translates to ‘son of Thomas’. This first appeared in written records from April 1542, noting a Tommas Makkymow who was a tenant at Ardwell, Wigtownshire, Scotland. The area of Ardwell has strong historic connections with the Clan MacTavish.
It is possible to trace the MacKimmie families back for some generations in Scotland. Many later moved to cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh, and others traveled to England or overseas. Today the United States, Canada, and Australia seem to have the most MacKimmie individuals and families.
The spelling of the name can be somewhat varied, with MacKimmie, MacKimm, McKimmie, and McTommie all being used. It is interesting to note that individuals from the same family can have different spelling variations of the last name.
In conclusion, the last name MacKimmie is still very much alive today. It is especially common throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, although it can still be found in other areas of the world as well.
Variations of the surname MacKimmie
The surname MacKimmie is a variant of the surname MacKemmie, and can also be spelled MacKempsey and MacKemsie. Each of these surnames have the same Scottish root derived from a sept or extended family of the clan MacKimmie of Gowrie, Scotland.
The name MacKimmie is thought to have been derived from the Gaelic name MacHugh meaning “son of Hugh or Aodh” and is related both to the Irish surnames MacKinnie and MacHugh and the Scottish surnames McKinnon, MacKensie, and MacKinnon. It is one of the most popular Scottish names and has migrated to the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In addition to MacKimmie, the other variants of this surname are MacKemmie, MacKempsey, MacKemzie, MacKeensie, McEmmie, McKinnie, MacKinnie, Makinney, Makins, MacKins, and MacKensie. Variations in spelling of the surname may have occurred due to the phonetic spelling of names in earlier eras and the poorly recorded spelling of names in the parish registers.
The surnames of MacKimmie, MacKemmie, MacKempsey, and MacKemsie are all thought to be septs, or extended families, of the Clan MacKimmie of Gowrie in Scotland. The Moffat Clan, McLeans of Badenoch, and McIntyres of Lorn are all related clans as well. As a result, MacKimmie and its variants are some of the most common Scottish surnames.
Famous people with the name MacKimmie
- Mark MacKimmie: Former NHL player who played for various teams such as the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Atlanta Thrashers.
- Pat MacKimmie: Competed on the PGA Tour and is currently a golf instructor.
- John MacKimmie: Starred in many movies, including The Producers and Ghostbusters.
- Rachel MacKimmie: Television personality and film producer, best known for co-hosting the daytime talk show The View.
- Cleo MacKimmie: Actress, appearing in the films The Great Gatsby and Serenity, as well as the television series Scandal and Nikita.
- Peter MacKimmie: Actor, appearing in films such as Far Away and The Big Lebowski.
- Raymond MacKimmie: Award-winning animator and video game developer, known for his work on the game series, CAPCOM's Dead Rising.
- Mike MacKimmie: Country music singer-songwriter, best known for his hit single “I Got the Love”. 9.Gloria MacKimmie: Grammy Award-winning country music singer and songwriter, with hits like “You Belong to Me” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”.
- Olivia MacKimmie: Australian actress, who has appeared in films such as The Hot Zone and Strictly Ballroom.