Surname McHugh - Meaning and Origin
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A Celtic Legacy Unravelled: Tracing My Surname 'McHugh' through iGENEA DNA Test
Taking an iGENEA DNA test has led me on a captivating journey of discovery, especially concerning the deep roots and illustrious history of my surname, McHugh. Tracing back to the Gaelic royalty, McHugh speaks volumes about a unique historical tapestry, tireless leadership, immense courage, resilience, and survival seen in the outspread branches of my ancestry.
B. McHugh
read moreMcHugh: What does the surname McHugh mean?
The surname McHugh is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Aodha," which translates to "son of Hugh." The personal name "Hugh" is derived from the Old Norse word "hugr," meaning heart, mind, or spirit. Therefore, the surname could be interpreted as "son of the wise or spirited one." Over time, modifications in spelling have resulted in different variations of the name, such as Hughes, MacHugh, McCue and others. The McHugh family originally belongs to the Connacht province, specifically in County Galway and County Mayo. The clan's ancient territory was near Elphin, in County Roscommon. The McHughs are recognized as Chiefs in their native lands, indicating a history of leadership within the clan. Despite its Irish roots, the surname is now found all over the world due to immigration.
Order DNA origin analysisMcHugh: Where does the name McHugh come from?
The surname McHugh has Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Aodha," which means "son of Aodh." Aodh is an ancient Irish name, often translated as "fire" and was a popular name for the Celtic sun god. The McHugh family was part of a larger clan system in Ireland and was particularly associated with the northern region of the country, predominantly in counties Donegal, Leitrim, and Mayo. The name is first on records from the 10th century in the ancient Annals of the Four Masters.
Today, the surname McHugh is still most common in Ireland, but due to historical immigration, it has also spread around the world, particularly in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. In general, the name is most widely spread in English-speaking countries. It is important to note that variations of the surname exist, such as Hughes, which is another anglicized form of the original Gaelic name.
Variations of the surname McHugh
The surname McHugh can be traced back to Ireland. The Gaelic versions of the surname are Mac Aodha or MacAodha which later Anglicized to McHugh, meaning 'son of Hugh.' Variations and alternative spellings of the name include MacHugh, McCue, MacCue, McHue, MacHue, McCoo, MacCoo, MacHoo, and McHoo.
Sometimes it may also be found as Hughes, due to the phonetic similarity with the English name Hugh, but Hughes typically has a separate Welsh origin. Similar surnames from the same origin also include variants with the prefix 'O' instead of 'Mac' or 'Mc', indicating 'descendant of' in Gaelic, such as O'Hugh, O'Haodha or even O'Aodha.
McHugh can also be found as McGahue and McGahye especially in older records. It is also worth noting that spelling of surnames varied greatly until the 19th century due to literacy levels, regional accents and dialects. Therefore, it's not uncommon to find the same surname spelt in many different ways in historical documents.
Famous people with the name McHugh
- Matt McHugh: An American actor known for roles in films like "The Jazz Singer."
- Frank McHugh: A popular character actor in American films from the 1930s and 1940s.
- Anne McHugh: Irish educational executive and Chief Executive Officer of Donegal ETB.
- John McHugh: A politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Northern New York and Secretary of the Army.
- Kevin McHugh: An accomplished Irish footballer.
- Lauren McHugh: Renowned American architect.
- James McHugh: Known songwriter during the Tin Pan Alley era.
- Mattie McHugh: British Labour Party politician.
- Vince McHugh: English professional rugby league footballer.
- Jackie McHugh: Scottish footballer.
- Ryan McHugh: Irish Gaelic footballer.
- Steven McHugh: Semi-finalist of U.K.'s MasterChef: The Professionals.
- Neil McHugh: English cricketer.
- Deirdre McHugh: Co-founder of U.K.'s Center for Women Entrepreneurs.
- Patricia A. McHugh: American author and lecturer on urban design and architecture.
- Harold McHugh: Professional English footballer.
- Suzanne McHugh: Award-winning journalist.
- Jim McHugh: Well-known American photographer.
- Ian McHugh: Famous Australian author.
- Edmund McHugh: British Conservative Party politician.