Surname MacCaig - Meaning and Origin
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MacCaig: What does the surname MacCaig mean?
The last name MacCaig is a patronymic surname, derived from the first name of a male ancestor. It is thought to have originated in Scotland, with the Gaelic version of the name being Mac Aoidh or Mac Aoidhghe. The prefix ‘Mac’ or ‘Mc’ means ‘son of’, and the ‘Aoidh’ or ‘Aoidhghe’ portion of the name is derived from the Middle Gaelic personal name ‘Aodh’, which is the Gaelic version of ‘Hugh’.
The spelling of the surname could vary depending on the area in which the family originated. In the Scottish Borders, it was spelled MacAig, while in the Highlands, McEàig may have been the more common, or in the north of the country, McKeig was also used.
The name MacCaig was distributed throughout Scotland, with the most prominent number of people bearing the name originating from Dumfriesshire, where there is a cluster of MacCaigs in the west of the province. Scotland in general is known for having a long and storied history of clans and surnames, with the MacCaig surname still surviving among some families today. In addition, descendants of the MacCaig surname can also be found in England, Ireland, North and South America.
The meaning of the name MacCaig is ‘son of Hugh’, and it is thought to have originated with the Gaelic-speaking people of Scotland. The meaning of the surname is inextricably linked with its history and the numerous people who have descended from the same origins. In many ways, the meaning of the name is a representation of centuries of Scottish heritage and culture that can still be seen today.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCaig: Where does the name MacCaig come from?
The last name MacCaig is most commonly found in Scotland. The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic for "son of Caige" or "son of Aindreas." It has been found in parts of Scotland, including the Highlands, since as far back as the 12th century. The name is predominately found in Scotland, but has been found in England, Ireland, Canada, and the United States.
The region in which the surname is most frequent is the north-western Highlands, which includes the counties of Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, and Argyll. The Isle of Skye, which is an island located off the west coast of Scotland, is also an area where the MacCaigs have lived since the 1700s.
The area around Weymss in Fife is another area where the surname has been found since the 1600s. The MacCaig families in this area were likely related to those on Skye and in the Highlands, and were likely descended from a common ancestor.
Today, the MacCaig surname is still found throughout Scotland, indicating that the family line has been passed down through several generations. It is likely that many present-day MacCaigs have ancestors who lived in the same region for hundreds of years. The surname can also be found in other countries, including the US, England, Ireland, and Canada, reflecting the spread of the MacCaig family in the centuries since they left Scotland.
Variations of the surname MacCaig
The MacCaig surname is known worldwide and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these variants, spellings, and surnames include MacKay, McGoey, MacAy, MacGee, MacQuay, Mackie, McCay, McCoey, MacCoit, MacGipp, MacCoy, MacGag, MacGoy, MacEachern, and MacComee. MacKay is the most common variant of MacCaig, as MacKay is derived from MacAoidh, the original form of MacCaig.
MacKay is a popular surname, particularly in Scotland, as it is thought to have been given to a descendant of Aoidh, at around the twelfth century. MacKay also appears in some Irish records, particularly those located in Donegal.
McGoey is another variant of MacCaig, likely derived from the earlier "MacGuthrag," which was a predecessor to MacCaig. Similarly, MacAy may be derived from "MacAoidh," and MacGee may be derived from "MacEoghain". Indeed, MacQuay also may be derived from "MacAoidh," or "son of Aoidh."
Mackie, McCay, McCoey, MacCoit, MacGipp, MacCoy, MacGag, MacGoy, MacEachern, and MacComee are other surnames of the same origin as MacCaig. McCoey may have originated from either MacAoidh or MacCoey, while MacCoit may have come from the phrase "Mac an Choit," meaning "son of the woodsman." The surname MacGoy is likely derived from "Mac Gabhaigh," meaning "son of the smith" while MacGipp may have originated from "MacGibe," meaning "son of the 'gibh'" or "tent dweller."
All in all, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as MacCaig include MacKay, McGoey, MacAy, MacGee, MacQuay, Mackie, McCay, McCoey, MacCoit, MacGipp, MacCoy, MacGag, MacGoy, MacEachern, and MacComee. These names have likely been around since at least the twelfth century and show the diverse roots of the MacCaig surname.
Famous people with the name MacCaig
- Alasdair MacCaig: a Scottish poet
- Norman MacCaig: a Scottish poet and writer
- Angus MacCaig: a Scottish sculptor and painter
- Laura MacCaig: a Scottish actress
- Morag MacCaig: a Scottish singer, actress, and poet
- Isla MacCaig: a Scottish film producer
- Paul MacCaig: a Scottish musician and composer
- William MacCaig: a Scottish author and journalist
- Gary MacCaig: a Scottish comedian and actor
- Kirsty MacCaig: a British writer and illustrator