Surname MacPhee of Barra - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacPhee of Barra: What does the surname MacPhee of Barra mean?
The last name MacPhee is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Dhuibhshíthe", which means "son of the dark fairy". The MacPhees originally hailed from Lochaber in Scotland, but they migrated to the Hebrides, settling primarily on the Isle of Colonsay.
"Of Barra" suggests a connection to the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. This could mean that a branch of the MacPhee family historically resided there, had significant land holdings, or perhaps had a notable impact on the area.
The MacPhees were known as a clan who resisted feudal superiorities, valuing purity of their traditional clan ways. Being a maritime clan, they maintained independence from mainland authorities well into the 16th century. They were eventually subdued by the Campbells and their prominence in Barra diminished. Despite this, the name is still very much associated with the Isle of Barra. Today MacPhees can be found all over the world, where they continue to make significant contributions in various fields, but many still have strong connections to their Scottish roots.
Order DNA origin analysisMacPhee of Barra: Where does the name MacPhee of Barra come from?
The surname MacPhee of Barra originates from Scotland, specifically from the Hebridean island of Barra. This surname is a derivative of the Gaelic term "MacDhuibhshíthe" which translates as "son of the dark fairy or peace". The MacPhee surname is Connected to ancient Scottish clans including the MacDonalds. They were among the numerous clans evicted during the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, which led to worldwide diaspora of Scottish people.
As a result, the name MacPhee, like many Scottish surnames, can now be found in countries around the world where Scots migrated, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Though, it's still fairly common in Scotland and particularly in the regions connected to its origin; the Hebrides. There is also a significant presence of MacPhees in Nova Scotia, Canada due to Scottish immigration during and after the Clearances. Being a part of the worldwide Scottish diaspora, the MacPhees of Barra still honor their cultural heritage and history.
Variations of the surname MacPhee of Barra
The surname MacPhee is of Scottish origin and is associated primarily with the regions of Hebrides and Barra in Scotland. It's derived from the Gaelic "Mac Dhuibhshíthe", meaning 'son of the black fairy'.
Many variants of the surname have emerged due to phonetic spellings, translations, and regional differences. Some common variations are MacFie, MacDuffie, MacPhie, MacPhee, MacFee, and MacVey. The Laird of Colonsay was known to use the MacFie variation, while MacDuffie has been noted in relation to the regions of Ross and Cromarty, and MacPhee is known in Inverness-shire.
Further, differing geographical locations have also influenced the variant surnames like MacAfee, MacAfie, MacCafie, and MacGuffie, based on local linguistic nuances and spelling preferences.
Enhancing the confusion is the common practice, primarily in the 17th century, of anglicizing Gaelic names. This has further given rise to distinct versions like Duffy, Duffie, and even Duff.
Despite the multiple versions, all these surnames are connected to the same Gaelic origin and can trace their ancestry to the initial 'Mac Dhuibhshíthe'. Nevertheless, the spellings have evolved distinctively, even while the meaning and the roots remain the same.
Famous people with the name MacPhee of Barra
- Calum MacPhee of Barra: Scottish actor and former Mr Gay Scotland, who has appeared in movies such as Me Too and Hotel Chocolat.
- Duncan MacPhee of Barra: Professional fiddler, composer, performer, and teacher who has performed in various bands and ensembles.
- Joy Dunlop of Barra: Gaelic singer, broadcaster and writer, who has released three acclaimed albums. She is widely recognized for her commitment to Gaelic culture and language.
- Seonag MacPhee of Barra: Actor and playwright, who has toured the world with her production of the one-woman show Gille Buidhe.
- Dougie MacPhee of Barra: Professional footballer who played for Fort William Football Club in the Highland Football League.
- Joe MacPhee of Barra: Viking re-enactor, who has made appearances in popular television series such as Outlander and The Last Kingdom.
- Alec Finlay MacPhee of Barra: Award-winning poet, artist, and horticulturist, who is currently a Visiting Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow.
- Alasdair MacPhee of Barra: Award-winning bagpiper, who has played with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and has performed on the most prestigious stages.
- Andrew MacPhee of Barra: Professional cricketer who has represented Scotland at all age-groups and won a National High Performance Award at the 2008 Under-17 World Cup.
- Jess Smith of Barra: Actor and musician, who is best known for her lead role in the Scottish TV series ‘The Legacy of Barra’.