Surname McKelvy - Meaning and Origin
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McKelvy: What does the surname McKelvy mean?
The last name McKelvy is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Giolla Mhicheil", which means "son of the servant of St. Michael". This name is associated with several regions throughout Scotland and Ireland, including families in the Scottish Highlands, the Irish County Donegal, and the Irish counties of armagh and Antrim.
The name also appears in records dating back to the 12th century in Britain, and is thought to be from the descendants of Fergus Mor MacErc (died 878 AD), who was king of the Scots and Picts. During the 18th and 19th centuries the name McKelvy was prominent in the Highlands of Scotland and parts of Ireland.
From all of the available records, it is thought that the McKelvy family migrated to other parts of Britain and Ireland at various times, taking up residence and making their mark on the local lands and traditions. It is likely that the family was involved in various occupations such as farming, blacksmithing, and carpentry, and the family likely became more widely known in the local area as they became successful in their chosen profession. Over time, the surname McKelvy became prominent amongst the local way of life and was eventually adopted as a last name.
Today the surname McKelvy is still present in Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and various other nations, especially in areas of high Scottish migration. It is seen as symbolic of the family's proud history, as well as a reminder of the rich and vibrant culture from which it originates.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKelvy: Where does the name McKelvy come from?
The last name McKelvy is mostly commonly found in the United States today. Specifically, the highest concentrations are in Pennsylvania, followed by Wisconsin, Kentucky, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Maine.
In Pennsylvania, the most populous city for McKelvys is Philadelphia. According to the city directory, there were 31 McKelvys doing various business and professional work in the city in 2020.
Wisconsin is home to a higher number of McKelvys than Pennsylvania. The majority of McKelvys are found in Milwaukee, with small enclaves in Racine, Kenosha and Madison.
In Kentucky, the concentration of McKelvys is highest in Louisville. This is especially pronounced in the downtown area, where the descendants of coal miner W.P. McKelvy settled.
North Carolina is home to one of the largest populations of McKelvys in the United States. Although the McKelvys from North Carolina are largely dispersed throughout the state, the largest concentration is found in Raleigh.
Massachusetts is where the McKelvy clan first arrived in America in the late 1700s. The McKelvys were concentrated primarily in Boston before relocating to other parts of the state.
The McKelvy family first settled in Maine several generations ago. Most McKelvys in the state live in Lewiston and the surrounding towns. Although the population is small, it is one of the oldest McKelvy enclaves in the U.S.
Variations of the surname McKelvy
The surname McKelvy has many variations and spellings that have been derived from the original name. Some of the common variations and spellings of this surname include Mac Kelvy, McKelvey, McKelvie, MacKelvy, McElvey, McIlvee, MacClavey, and MacKelvie.
Mention should also be made of rare variants such as Makelvy, McKelvay, McKelveye, Mackelwaie, Makelvie, MacKelby, McIlway, McAlvee, Makilvay, Makilvie, Macklevee, McIlvoy, McAlvay, Makelvey, McAilvie, McCleve, McKelvay, Makelfey and McCelval.
While all of these variations of the same surname share the same origin, other surnames that are considered to be of the same origin include McElwee, McIlvey, McKeever, McLoone, McIlwain, McClelland, MacPhearson, McIlvaine, Mackelvie and McKelin.
It is interesting to note that all of these surnames can be traced back to a common ancestor from Scotland. The original name, McKelvy, is derived from the Gaelic name MacGillivray, which means "son of the servant of judgment". Over time, through migration, corruption of the original name and the adoption of various anglicized versions of the name, many of the variations and spellings associated with the McKelvy surname developed.
Famous people with the name McKelvy
- Dr. Jennifer McKelvy: Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego.
- Robert McKelvy: Former NFL player who played seven seasons in the league from 1971-1977.
- Richard McKelvy: An American entrepreneur who co-founded DIRECTV in 1994.
- Kay McKelvy: An American actress who has a career spanning from 1940-1995.
- Richard McKelvy Jr.: American actor who has appeared on stage and screen in numerous roles and projects.
- Jami McKelvy: An American-born author and motivational speaker.
- Roy "Red" McKelvy: An American folk and blues musician from Oklahoma.
- Kenneth McKelvy: An American novelist who has published several books and short stories.
- Joe McKelvy: A retired MLB pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox.
- Anthony McKelvy: An Irish football player who played for Cork City in the Irish Premier Division.