Surname Macquey - Meaning and Origin
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Macquey: What does the surname Macquey mean?
The last name Macquey is of Scottish origin, from the Gaelic, Mac Uigh, meaning “son of Hugh”. The name is thought to have been first used by the descendants of Uchtred mac Fergusa, a seventh-century chieftain whose lands extended to Liddesdale in southern Scotland and Cumberland in northern England.
Today, the surname continues to be of particular relevance to those of Highland descent, many of whom still bear the name Macquey, particularly in Scotland. It is also common in North America, largely due to the Scottish diaspora of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Macquey family is recognized as an armigerous clan, meaning that it has a right to bear arms. The original clan arms feature a blue field with two red chevrons, transforming into three silver stars at the head. The motto, ‘Fortis cadere, cedere non potest’ which translates to ‘the brave may fall, but cannot yield’, reflects the family’s strength and stoicism throughout history.
The Macquey family are proud of their name and its long legacy. It is a reminder of a distant past in which their forebears worked hard to build better lives for themselves and their future descendants. The name is a source of strength and resilience through times of challenge, and a reminder of a determined and formidable culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacquey: Where does the name Macquey come from?
The last name Macquey is most commonly found among members of the Scottish MacKay clan, which is based in Scotland, England, and other countries around the world. In Scotland, the surname Macquey is especially common among the clans of Sutherland and Caithness, whose ancestors are believed to have come from Norway. In England, the surname Macquey has spread across the Midlands, northwest England, and Yorkshire. The Macquey surname is also found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
The history of the Macquey surname can be traced back to its origin in the early 1300s when it began to appear on charters granted by the kings of Scotland. Over time, the name was adopted by the Sutherland and Caithness clans, and later spread to other areas of the country.
In terms of today’s population, Macquey is likely to be found among those descended from the Sutherland and Caithness clans and other Scottish families who have adopted the surname. It is also likely to be found among other European families who have taken the name, but its prevalence outside of Scotland is not thought to be as frequent.
In Scotland, Macquey is associated with noble bloodlines, and many Macquey families have ancestral seats in Sutherland and Caithness. Today, the Macquey surname remains prevalent among the Scottish MacKay clans, who continue to be proud of their ancestry.
Variations of the surname Macquey
The Macquey surname is derived from the Scottish-Gaelic patronymic form of MacDhubhgh Gaill, one of the Gaelic forms for "son of Duibhgh Gaill". Variants of the Macquey surname include MacQueen, MacQuary, Makwa, MacQuey, Macquay, Macquie, and MacKwa.
Other spellings of the surname which can be found throughout Ireland, Scotland, and England include MacQuioe, MacQuoy, MacQuay, Macquae, Macquioe, MacCuish, and MacCuishe. In some cases, where an Anglicization of the name took place, the spelling could also take the form of MacWee, MacQhal, Machuice, and Makewe.
In some instances, the Macquey surname can also be found spelled as Cahey, Cauhey, and even Kyey, depending on the country of origin and which English variant has been adopted.
Variations in spelling of the surname can also depend on how the name has been transcribed from its original Gaelic form. The surnames Macqueen and Macquie could result from mishearing or misunderstanding of the pronunciation of Macquey. Similarly, the name McQuale could have resulted from a misinterpretation of the MacDhubhgh Gaill form of the name, while Cahey and Cauhey come from an incorrect transliteration of the phonetic equivalent.
In addition to these variations, Macquey is also found in some instances as a diminutive which can often be translated as "son of the small one", which can lead to surnames such as MacQuelady, MacQuelady, and MacUelady.
Famous people with the name Macquey
- John Macqueen—Scottish actor who appeared in films such as High Road to China, Wiplash, and Caliber 9
- Lou Macquey—American professional tennis player who won numerous junior circuit tournaments
- Walter Macquey—Scottish football player and manager, regarded as one of the greatest ever for his defensive acumen
- Bill Macqueen—Canadian sprinter, participated in the Olympics and held numerous national records
- Garry Macqueen—Australian musician and songwriter, co-wrote many hits for bands such as AC/DC and The Church
- David Macqueen—American geneticist and biochemist, researched and developed techniques used to sequence DNA and RNA strands
- Fenton Macqueen—Irish sculptor and painter, known for his vivid abstract works
- Samuel Macqueen—British composer, wrote musical scores for various films and animations
- Jonnie Macquey—Canadian conservationist and biologist, dedicated her life to preserving threatened species and was an important figure in the Vancouver Zoo conservation movement
- Fiona Macquey—Actor and singer, best known for her role in the Australian soap opera Neighbours