Surname McLee - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McLee: What does the surname McLee mean?
The last name McLee is of Scottish origin and it is believed to be a derivative of the Gaelic surname Mac an Leagha, meaning "son of the physician". The name might have initially been assigned to individuals or families who were known for practicing medicine or healing. Over time, it turned into a surname passed down through generations. Like many ancient Scottish surnames, it is rooted in the distinctive culture of the rugged Western Isles, reflecting skills or professions that were essential to the Gaelic community of the past. It's also important to note that spellings of Scottish names often fluctuate due to various factors like translation from Gaelic to English, thus McLee might have different variations like McLea, McLeay, MacLea etc.
Order DNA origin analysisMcLee: Where does the name McLee come from?
The last name McLee is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac an Leagha, which, when translated to English, means the "son of the physician". The name signifies an early ancestral bearer of the name who was a medical practitioner or healer. Surnames in Gaelic mostly describe occupations, physical traits, or geographical locations that pertained to the initial bearer of the name.
Over the centuries, migration and dispersion have spread Scottish names around the world. Today, the surname McLee, like many surnames of Scottish origin, can be found in various countries, especially in English-speaking nations. As per the available record, this surname is found in the United States, Canada, Scotland, and very few other locations. However, compared to other surnames, McLee isn't very common.
Variations of the surname McLee
The surname "McLee" likely has Scottish origins, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac an Leigh", which translates to "son of the physician". Variants could include MacLee, MacLea, MacLeigh, and MacLay. The "Mc" prefix can interchange with "Mac", so names like McLea, McLeigh, and McLay are also possible.
There are several phonetic equivalents such as Macclea, McLei, or McAlea, which are due to differences in regional accents and spelling conventions over time. Variations could include additional prefixes or suffixes like "M'Lee" or "Lee, Jr." The surname can also be anglicized differently, leading to surnames such as Livingston, as the Clan MacLea which the surname may have derived from, became known as the Highland Livingstons in Scotland.
These possible variations resulted from historical shifts in culture, language, and geographic location. Moreover, the surname may also have different spellings based on different languages due to migration. So it is also possible to encounter variants like McLay in Canada, Lea in England, or Ley in Germany.
These variations are not exhaustive as spellings can hugely differ due to factors such as translation, phonetic spelling, and personal preference.
Famous people with the name McLee
- Lori McLee: American Christian news broadcaster.
- Kortney McLee: Member of an all-female professional football team The St. Louis Slam.
- KG MacLees: Trinidadian music film producer.
- Gregory McLee: American actor and producer.
- Major General Lance McLee: Member of the US Army's senior executive service.
- Stormy McLee: Professional snowboarder.
- Captain John McLee: US Navy surgeon and director of the Naval Medical Research Institute.
- Mike McLee: American voice actor.
- JT McLee: US Navy Officer and a former Executive Officer of the USS John C Stennis.
- John McLee: US Air Force general who was the first black aircraft and spacecraft commander.
- Willy McLee: Former professional basketball player.
- G.H. McLee: American film and television producer.
- Thomas J. McLee: United States Marine Corps officer who served as Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Marine Division during World War II.
- Sam McLee: American football player.
- James McLee: American music composer and arranger.
- Richard McLee: Member of the British National Board of Trade.
- Kenneth McLee: Former mayor of Adrian, Michigan.
- Hugh McLee: US Army veteran and a recipient of several medals.
- Francis McLee: British Air Marshal.
- Robert McLee: Canadian journalist and former Prime Minister of New Zealand.