Surname McQuigge - Meaning and Origin
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McQuigge: What does the surname McQuigge mean?
McQuigge is an old Scottish surname, derived from the Old Gaelic settlement of MacUigig. The name is thought to have had its earliest origins in Scotland the 1400s.
McQuigge is a habitational name, of those who lived in the western and northern Highlands of Scotland. Its spelling derived from the variations of its pronunciation, so McQuigge, MacQuigge, M’Quigge, MacIgge, and McKigge are only few of the ways in which the name has been written over the years. The name was also common in Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, and Renfrewshire.
The spelling of the name has influenced its meaning and is associated with the Gaelic roots of the origin. The Mac in the name refers to “son of” and Uigig is a form of the Gaelic word oige, meaning “youth”. So, roughly, the name can be interpreted as “son of the young one.”
The McQuigges were a noble family who had been members of the Earl of Moray’s court in the 17th century. Their skills of horsemanship, swordfighting, and honor were highly valued. The McQuigges were believed to have been involved in various wars and battles and had ownership rights to vast areas of land.
The McQuigge name is still alive today and is carried by many descendents. It’s a proud surname and many who had it are proud of their family’s noble ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisMcQuigge: Where does the name McQuigge come from?
The last name McQuigge is most common in Canada and the United Kingdom. It is particularly prominent along the Eastern Seaboard of Canada. While it is most common in Canada, it can also be found in other countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, and Australia.
The McQuigge surname came about in about the 10th century when it was first used as a first name in Scotland. The primary meaning of the name is associated with a warrior’s home, as the prefix “Mc” in Irish and Scottish names generally references a forefather’s first name.
In Scotland and England, the McQuigge name has remained prominent in counties such as Northumberland, Kent, and Essex. Areas with large Irish influences, like Northern Ireland, also have many people of the McQuigge heritage.
In the United States, people with the last name McQuigge are most commonly found in the many states that have a large Irish population. These would include the Midwest and East Coast states, particularly New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
In Canada, the McQuigge name is most commonly found in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. It is particularly prominent in cities such as Halifax, Saint John, Montreal, and Ottawa.
Given its roots in Scotland and its prevalence throughout many parts of the world, including North American and European countries, it can be said that the McQuigge name is a widespread one.
Variations of the surname McQuigge
McQuigge is an Irish surname, originating from the Gaelic MacCuigy, which in turn is derived from the Gaelic name Cuigy, meaning "helmet". As with many Gaelic surnames, variations in spelling have arisen as the name has traveled across the world. The most common variants of the name are McQuigge, McQuigg, Maguiggy and MacQuigg. Less common variations include McQuiggie, McQuiggy, MacCuigy and MacQuiggey.
In addition to the variants of the name, there are a number of surnames of similar origin which share the same Gaelic roots. These include MacQuaid, MacQuitty, MacWhigly, Maguire, McGuire, McGinley, and McGonigle.
The Irish spelling of McQuigge is still used in some parts of Ireland today. In the United States the name is commonly found with the spelling MacQuigg. Often it is used interchangeably with the surname MacQuitty, making it difficult to trace the original roots of the name.
The origins of the surname McQuigge can provide some interesting insight into Irish history. It is believed that the name originated with a clan known as Cuigy, located in present day County Kildare. This clan was part of the powerful Uí Dúnchada dynasty, which controlled Kildare for centuries. As with many Irish surnames, the family spread to other locations and the name evolved to the spelling of McQuigge when it traveled across the world.
Famous people with the name McQuigge
- Michelle McQuigge: Canadian journalist with Reuters since 2013, investigative reporter covering crime, court, and social issues.
- Jennifer McQuigge: Canadian journalist with BNN Bloomberg since 2019.
- Neil McQuigge: Author of Dramatic Creatures: Animals, Humans, and Gravesend England.
- Virginia McQuigge: Former member of the Canadian House of Commons.
- Shirley McQuigge: Former school board trustee runner-up for public office in Quebec.
- Sarah McQuigge: Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) advocate and community organizer.
- Janice McQuigge: Environmental activist, author of Achieving Health Sustainability.
- Gregory McQuigge: Neurobiologist at The University of Toronto studying specialized synaptic cell function and memory formation.
- Michael McQuigge: Author of critically-acclaimed Indigenous Youth Literature.
- Katherine McQuigge: Professor of psychology at York University and recipient of the Canadian Psychological Association's Outstanding Emerging Researcher Award.