Surname McKemie - Meaning and Origin
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McKemie: What does the surname McKemie mean?
The surname McKemie is of Scottish origin, derived from the personal name Camshron, which is a variant of Cameron. The "Mac" or "Mc" in Scottish and Irish surnames generally signifies "son of." So, McKemie essentially translates to "son of Camshron." It is most commonly found in the region of Argyll, located in modern-day Scotland. The meaning of the name Cameron is often given as "crooked nose" or "crooked river," which refers to someone who lived near a river with a crooked course. However, these interpretations can vary, and the precise meaning of the name McKemie may also depend on the family's specific history. Like many surnames, it may have originated from a nickname, location, occupation, or clan affiliation.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKemie: Where does the name McKemie come from?
The surname McKemie is of Scottish origin. It is said to be derived from the Gaelic name Mac Cam Shaoir which translates to 'The son of Cam the Carpenter'. The name is a derivative of Scottish MacAlpin clan, whose roots can be traced back to King Kenneth MacAlpin who united Scotland in the 9th century. This name was used by people who migrated from Scotland in the early centuries and brought the name with them to other countries.
Today, the name McKemie is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southern states. According to available records, there are around a few thousand individuals with the McKemie surname in the U.S. alone. With the phenomenon of immigration and movement within continents, the name might also be found in smaller populations in Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. Overall, it remains a relatively rare and unique surname. Despite its historical roots in Scotland, the name is now less common there than it is in nations that have experienced significant Scottish immigration, such as the United States.
Variations of the surname McKemie
The surname McKemie has a rich lineage in Irish and Scottish culture and can be found with several different variants and spellings. This perhaps resulted from different pronunciation and anglicization over time as the family migrated and grew.
Some variants of McKemie include MacKemy, MacKimmie, MacKim, McKimmey, McKim, McKimm, and McKimme. The "Mc" or "Mac" is often interchangeable in many names rooted in Scottish or Irish origin. They both mean "son of," signifying a familial relation. The spelling of the latter part of the name can also vary, based on regional pronunciation and transcription.
In terms of surnames of similar origin, Kimmy or Kimmie can be related, as they are often names that have removed the Gaelic prefix for son or daughter.
It must be noted that tracking exact derivations of surnames can be tricky, given regional dialects, anglicization, and the informal way surnames can change and transform over generations and migrations.
The exact spelling and variant often depend on the historical and genealogical record, and some families with the McKemie surname might trace their roots back to somewhat different original spellings.
Famous people with the name McKemie
- Joseph McKemie: Professional basketball player in the American Basketball Association.
- Scott McKemie: Former NASCAR driver.
- Steve McKemie: American football player who played in the NFL in the 90s.
- Mark McKemie: Professional surfer.
- Nic McKemie: Film producer and digital media artist.
- Frankie McKemie: Actor and producer in several films including “Surf’s Up” and “The Princess Diaries”.
- Ryan McKemie: Singer and songwriter who created the band “The McKemies”.
- Kate McKemie: Vintage style jewelry designer.
- Andrew McKemie: Professional beach volleyball player who was a member of the US National volleyball team.
- Robert McKemie: Award-winning chef and restaurateur.
- Sean McKemie: British television actor who appeared in shows such as “Doctor Who” and “Emmerdale”.
- Emily McKemie: Olympic equestrian athlete and coach.
- Darren McKemie: Stuntman and actor who worked in films such as “The Hobbit” and “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation”.
- Beau McKemie: Native American sculptor and painter.
- Nila McKemie: Author of the novel "Thieves and Kings".