Surname McKim - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McKim: What does the surname McKim mean?
The last name McKim is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name MacCionaodha, which roughly translates to "son of Cionaodh". The Gaelic element "Mac" means "son of," while "Cionaodh" is a personal name that merges two words - "cion" implying love and "Aodh" which is a pagan god. Therefore, the surname McKim can be interpreted as "son of the beloved one" or "son of Aodh". It is important to note that, like many surnames that originated centuries ago, the exact meaning can vary and interpretations may differ. This surname is common among people with Scottish and Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKim: Where does the name McKim come from?
The surname McKim is of Scottish origin. The name is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Shìm", which literally translates to "Son of Simon". It is believed to have originated from the Scottish region of Galloway during the early Middle Ages. This surname is a good example of a patronymic surname, a type of surname which uses the name of the paternal ancestor, often prefixed by a Mac or Mc.
Today, the surname McKim is spread across many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It is quite prominent in Northern Ireland, having made its way there during the plantation era when Scottish settlers arrived in the region. Nevertheless, the largest concentration of people with the McKim surname is still in Scotland, signifying its strong connection to the Scottish heritage and culture.
Variations of the surname McKim
The surname McKim is of Scottish origin and comes from the Gaelic patronymic surname "Mac Shiomoun," which translates to "Son of Simon." The surname also has various spelling alterations due to the phonetic nature of Gaelic where scribes would often write names as they sounded.
Some of the most common spelling variants of McKim include MacKim, McKeam, MacKeam, McKean, MacKean, McKeeman, MacKeeman, McKimmon, MacKimmon, McKimmen, MacKimmen, McKimon, MacKimon and many more.
Additionally, other similar sounding Scottish surnames such as McKimm, McKimmy, McKimmie, McKimmey are also considered as its variants although they may derive from slightly different origins.
As for surnames with the same origin, they are often rooted in the parental name "Simon." Therefore, surnames like Sim, Sims, Simson, Simpson, Simmonds, Simmons, Simkin, Simpkin, Simkins, Simpkins, McSimon, and MacSimon are often seen as surnames with similar origins.
Due to emigrations or regional dialects, the spelling, suffixes or prefixes may change over time and across different geographical locations. There might be other variants existing that are not recorded here.
Famous people with the name McKim
- Charles Follen McKim: An influential American Beaux-Arts architect in the late 19th and early 20th century. He was one of the founders of the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White that designed some of the most iconic buildings in the United States.
- Meagan McKim: An American rhythmic gymnast who competed at the international level.
- Jim McKim: A Canadian ice hockey player who has played in the World Hockey Association (WHA).
- Elsie de Wolfe: Known as Lady Mendl, was an American actress, interior decorator, and author whose birth name was Elsie Frank Wolfe McKim.
- Robbie McKim: An American actor known for his roles in movies during the early 20th century like Men O' War and The Little Minister.
- William John McKim: He was a Canadian politician in the province of New Brunswick and served as a Cabinet minister.
- E. McKim: An Australian rugby player who played for the Queensland Reds.
- Robert McKim: He was a silent film actor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Please note, not all of these celebrities may be widely well-known as their prominence varies.