Surname McCelvey - Meaning and Origin
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McCelvey: What does the surname McCelvey mean?
The last name McCelvey is an ancient Scottish surname of territorial origin. It is derived from a place-name in in the Ayrshire region of Scotland. The Gaelic form of the place-name was "Mac Gille Mheire," meaning "son of the servant of Mary."
The McCelvey family is believed to have originated in the village of Kilmaronock, located on the south side of Loch Lomond in western Scotland. The first people to take the name McCelvey were believed to have been a Highland family associated with the Islands of Loch Lomond.
Throughout history, the McCelvey family has been associated with numerous occupations, including farming, writing, dancing, and acting. Some members of the family have gone on to gain international notoriety, including actor Sean McCelvey, who won an Oscar for his work on “Lincoln,” and Johnny McCelvey, the renowned Scottish author.
The meaning of the McCelvey name is steeped in tradition and loyalty. For the family, it is a reminder of their connection to the world, especially the land and its people. As such, the McCelvey name inspires those who bear it to live their lives with pride, courage, and integrity.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCelvey: Where does the name McCelvey come from?
The surname McCelvey is a patronymic name that originated in Scotland and Ireland, with the earliest recorded spelling being Maccellvey in 1541. It is still most common in Scotland and Ireland today, though it can also be found in other parts of the world due to migrations throughout the last 500 years.
In Scotland, there are around 2,000 recorded bearers of the surname, particularly in the coastal regions of Lothian and Fife. Areas like Glasgow and Edinburgh also feature higher populations of the name. In Ireland, it is common in the northern counties such as Galway, Mayo, and Tyrone.
McCellvey is the most common variant of the name within the US. The 2000 census recorded 1,652 people bearing the name as living in the US at that time. The most frequent concentrations of the name are in Houston, Texas, and upstate New York.
The name is also prevalent in Canada, with over 1,000 recorded occurrences in the 2006 Canadian census. The provinces with the highest concentrations include Quebec and Ontario.
As a result of multi-generational migrations, the McCelvey surname can now be found in more countries, including Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. For people of the name, the internet can be a useful resource for genealogical research, as well as making contact with relatives in distant countries.
Variations of the surname McCelvey
The surname McCelvey has several variants, spellings, and other related surnames that could all be traced to a single origin. It is also possible that some of these surnames are variants that have come about through misspellings or changed pronunciations in various languages.
The most common variant of the surname McCelvey is McAlvey. Other variants include MacElhewy, MacElvey, McAlvie, McCalvie, and McCalvey. Other similar names may include MacAulay, MacAlevy, MacElroy, MacAtiley, MacElwey, and MacCowell.
Many of these variants originated from different parts of Ireland, Scotland, and other countries. McCelvey is believed to be related to two separate Irish families from County Antrim and County Armagh. McCelvey also has a long historical connection with Scotland going back many centuries.
The numerous variants and surnames associated with McCelvey demonstrate the complex origins and history of the surname. From its humble beginnings in Scotland and Ireland, the surname has spread over time and changed into various spellings and variants. As a result, it is a large family with many members living in numerous countries around the world.
Famous people with the name McCelvey
- Gentry Mckelvey, American lawyer and an expert in Internet domain name disputes
- Lawrenzo McCelvey, former professional basketball player
- Andre Mckelvey, Vice President of the Hamilton Conservation Authority
- Tim McCelvey, American professional golfer
- Bobby Mckelvey, American Major League Baseball player
- Jamie Mckelvey, professional squash player
- Dr. Thomas Mckelvey, Professor of Clinical Environmental Health in the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida
- Kayleigh Mckelvey, American track and field athlete
- Mark Mckelvey, former football player for the University of Florida
- Billy Mckelvey, American children's author and retired professor emeritus of English at Appalachian State University