Surname MacAleevy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacAleevy: What does the surname MacAleevy mean?
The last name MacAleevy is believed to have originated from the Gaelic culture in Ireland and Scotland. The surname is derived from Mac an Ghabháin, which translates to "son of the smith". MacAleevy, or Mac an Ghabháin, is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of the father.
The MacAleevy surname originally denoted a family profession as it references the craft of smithing, which was used to create tools, weapons, and armor. Over time, the name became associated with Ulster and Scotland, which is why the majority of people with the MacAleevy surname were from those areas.
Over time, variants of the surname MacAleevy were formed, such as McIlvery, McElwee, MacGarvey, and MacAuley, indicating that the origin of the surname may have changed over time.
Today, people of MacAleevy descent live in many countries across the world. Despite now being widely distributed, the surname still retains its original meaning and its connection to a family profession. Therefore, the last name MacAleevy symbolizes a strong family tie to a centuries-old tradition of smithing.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAleevy: Where does the name MacAleevy come from?
The MacAleevy surname can be found today in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The MacAleevy surname originated in the region of Munster, Ireland, located in the southwestern part of the country. During the 16th century, families bearing the MacAleevy surname moved to the Ulster region of Ireland. Later, during the 18th and 19th centuries, due to economic and political unrest, many MacAleevies left this region and ventured to the United States.
In the United States, MacAleevy families can now be found in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, and California. These areas provide evidence of MacAleevy families that made the arduous trip to the US likely through the ports of New York and Philadelphia.
The United Kingdom is also home to many MacAleevy families, particularly mainland England, Scotland, and Wales. As for Ireland, due to population shifts and migrations throughout history, the MacAleevy name can be found across most of the country, most predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, in the area of Munster.
Overall, the MacAleevy surname has a longstanding history in the British Isles and beyond. It remains a prevalent name in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States of America. Although the meaning and origin of the name are somewhat unknown, the legacy of this surname carries on today.
Variations of the surname MacAleevy
The surname MacAleevy is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Eibhe. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for this surname include MacAlee, MacAlley, MacAlea, MacAleevey, MacAlevey, MacAleeby, MacAleavy, MacAlivey, and MacAllavey.
The surname is derived from a 12th-century Irish chieftain called Giolla Eibhle, which translates to "follower of Eibhle" (or church). This name was shortened to Mac Giolla Eibhe and adopted by families descended from this man as their surname.
The surname MacAleevy is most common in County Donegal, Ireland, where it is the 11th most common name. It is also found in Northern Ireland, mainly in counties Antrim and Derry.
The surname is found in its various spelling variants elsewhere in the world, especially among descendants of Irish immigrants. The United States has the largest population of people with this surname, followed by the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Another variant spelling, MacEllavy, can be seen in Scotland, where it is most commonly found among families of Scottish-Irish descent. It is also found in parts of England, mainly in areas with large Irish communities.
Famous people with the name MacAleevy
- Colin MacAleevy: Irish born actor best known for the film "Saving Private Ryan" and television series "The West Wing".
- Stephen MacAleevy: Award-winning English film director, producer, and writer, best known for producing the suspense thriller "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".
- John MacAleevy: British film and television actor, perhaps best known for playing Detective Lieutenant Arthur Brown in the television series "New Tricks".
- Regan MacAleevy: American child actor who starred as Freddy in the television series "Flash Forward".
- Jenny MacAleevy: Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer best known for her albums "The Closer You Get" and "Light Switch".
- Kevin MacAleevy: Former professional football player who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2003 to 2007.
- Rachel MacAleevy: Emmy Award-winning American television producer and director, best known for her work on "Saturday Night Live".
- Robert MacAleevy: Grammy Award-winning composer and musician, noted for his contributions to the NBC television series "Friends".
- Joe MacAleevy: Canadian rock drummer and vocalist, best known for co-founding the band The Tragically Hip as well as playing drums for Canadian Dadrock band, The Watchmen.
- Heather MacAleevy: Academy Award-winning Irish actress, best known for her performance in the recently released movie "Brooklyn".