Surname MacReedy - Meaning and Origin

MacReedy: What does the surname MacReedy mean?

The surname MacReedy is a diminutive of the old Gaelic surname MacRathaide, which was derived from the Gaelic "mac," meaning "son of," plus "Rathaide," an old Gaelic personal name. This suggests that the hereditary clan of the MacReedy’s was descended from someone who was originally known as Ruthaide Ó Raith.

The MacReedy surname originated in Scotland, but it can also be found in the Ulster region of Ireland. There is also evidence of the use of the surname in Manx and Scottish Lowland areas. It is likely that members of the MacReedy clan moved between Scotland and Ireland during times of conflict, drought, or famine.

The earliest records of the MacReedy surname date back to mid-sixteenth century Scotland, where the clan was well established in Angus and Perthshire. These records suggest that members of the clan were loyal to the Scottish crown.

The MacReedy name has been used extensively in many parts of the world, and many notable people have the surname. Internationally, the name has been used primarily by Highland Scots, Irish, and Northern Irish people, but there are also MacReedys living in Canada, the United States, Australia, and other countries.

The MacReedy name conjures up images of courage, strength, and loyalty, values that are commonly associated with those who bear the name. It is said that wherever the MacReedy clan has gone, they have left their mark on history.

MacReedy: Where does the name MacReedy come from?

The surname MacReedy can be found mostly in Scotland and other parts of the British Isles today. It is especially common in and around the Hebrides Islands, including the island of Islay, which is part of Scotland's Inner Hebrides archipelago. It is an ancient Gaelic name and a variant form of the Irish Mac Raith (meaning 'son of grace').

The name is also scattered around in parts of the United States, Canada, Australia, and even South Africa. The dominant areas where it is seen are the Northern states of the USA—particularly those with Irish roots, such as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois.

The MacReedy name is especially frequent in getaway spots like the North coast of Northern Ireland, as well as Gweedore and Donegal in Ireland's Northwest. It can also be found in the Canadian Maritimes provinces, as well as across British Columbia. Meanwhile, in Australia, the name is thought to have been brought over by Gaelic-speaking Scots immigrants in the early 19th century.

Although it is less common, the MacReedy name is still prevalent in Scotland, with some accounts suggesting it originated near Arran, which is located in Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland.

The specific origins of the MacReedy name remain a mystery, but it is certainly an evocative and historically rich one.

Variations of the surname MacReedy

MacReedy is a surname of Scottish origin, originating from the Gaelic name MacRiada. It can can also be spelled as MacRiada, MacRidey, MacRedie, MacReady, MacCready, MacRiady, MacReadey, MacRydey, MacRedy and MacRadey.

In some cases, individuals with this surname can also have a patronymic surname, such as MacRiada's son, which may appear as MacRiada'son and MacRedie'son.

As the surname spread from Scotland to England and other parts of the British Isles, it also picked up alternate spelling variations like McReedy, McCready, and McCreedie.

Individuals with Irish descent can also trace their roots back to the surname MacRiada, with variants like MacRiada, MacRedie and MacReady. Depending on the region, the spelling of this surname has also changed to MacRadee, MacRodey, and MacRuddy.

When MacReedy immigrants first arrived in the United States, the name may still have been spelled with a combination of the original name and its various spellings, such as McReedy, McCready, MacRedie, and MacRiady. Later as families moved and assimilated, the spelling changed once again to the present day common variant, MacReedy.

Famous people with the name MacReedy

• Kevin MacReedy: an actor and a producer who has appeared in films such as The Good Son (1993), The Fugitive (1993) and Get Shorty (1995).
• Robert MacReedy: an actor who appeared in The Miracle Worker (1962), To Kill a Mockingbird (1963) and The Fortune Cookie (1966).
• John MacReedy: an actor and film producer who appeared in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) and The Fox and the Hound (1981).
• Richard MacReedy: an American cinematographer known for his work on films such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) and The Hills Have Eyes (1977).
• Susanna MacReedy: an English historian, author and lecturer, best known for her book A History of English Customs and Manners (1985).
• James MacReedy: a Canadian-born producer and director who was most famous for his work on television.
• Chris MacReedy: an American singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee who released his debut album, Songs From the Dead Dry River in 2004.
• Jack MacReedy: an American actor and writer who appeared in Gone With the Wind (1939), Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1939) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939).
• William MacReedy: an Australian-born sculptor best known for his work on the Kookaburra fountain in downtown Sydney.
• Carolyn MacReedy: a Canadian actor known for her work on television, including the Dominion (2008) and Murdoch Mysteries (2008-09).

Other surnames

MacreeMacReery