Surname McKemy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McKemy: What does the surname McKemy mean?
The last name McKemy is of Scottish origins and originates from the Gaelic word "MacThomaidh" which translates to "son of Tòmas". Thus it may indicate a familial link or lineage to a person named Tòmas. Like many surnames that were based on the name of a parent, it was likely first used as a patronymic identifier. Over time, McKemy has been subject to variations in spelling such as McComb, Mccomb, Maccam, Mccam, Maccome and others. It is important to note that the exact meaning and origins of any surname can be complex and influenced by various factors including historical language development, regional dialects, and cultural migrations. As such, the interpretation provided should be considered within this broader context.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKemy: Where does the name McKemy come from?
The last name McKemy is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Céimid, meaning "son of Céimid". The name Céimid itself is believed to come from a Gaelic word meaning 'traveler' or 'wanderer'. During the 18th and 19th century, like many Irish families, the McKemys were among those who left Ireland due to economic hardship, with many immigrating to the United States.
Today, the name McKemy is not incredibly common, but it tends to be found mostly in the United States. Particularly, it appears in relatively higher concentrations in states like Arizona, California, and Maryland. However, descendants of the original McKemy clan can be found worldwide, so it's possible to come across this surname in a number of different countries, albeit in smaller amounts. Given its Irish origins, the surname may also be present in some areas of Ireland, but not as commonly as in the United States.
Variations of the surname McKemy
The surname McKemy can have several variants and alternate spellings. Some of these can be MacKemy, McKamey, McKamie, McKemme, McKimmey, and McKemme. The prefix "Mc" or "Mac" is indicative of Gaelic origin, meaning "son of," thus these surnames are likely derived from a patriarchal figure named Kemy or similar.
The variations are most likely due to changes in spellings over generations due to phonetics and regional accents, as well as possible manual transcription errors in historical documents.
Surnames of the same origin would potentially include other Gaelic or Scottish names with prefixes like Mac or Mc. However, determining exact surnames of the same origin would require specific genealogical research, as the origin is often tied to a common ancestor rather than language patterns alone. It's worth noting that names with Mc or Mac aren't exclusively related - the second part of the name (e.g., the "Kemy" in McKemy) would also need to match.
Famous people with the name McKemy
- John McKemy: actor, producer, and director
- J. Keith McKemy: Major League Baseball pitcher
- Kira McKemy: singer and songwriter
- Sherry McKemy: stunt double
- Peggy McKemy: Broadway actress
- Richard McKemy: soldier and climber
- Chole McKemy: fashion designer
- Grace McKemy: birder and nature photographer
- Anchor McKemy: rugby player
- Moxie McKemy: professional skier