Surname Mulgemery - Meaning and Origin
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Mulgemery: What does the surname Mulgemery mean?
The exact origin and meaning of the surname Mulgemery is uncertain. It may derive from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Mhuire, which translates as “son of the servant of Mary.” Alternatively, it could be derived from the Old English personal name Moll or Mol, which means “mild” or big. Another likely source of the name is Mulgey, an early form of the name Molgei, which was found in Norfolk County in the 1500s. It is thought that this could be derived from the Old English words for “muddy” or “dusty”.
The surname Mulgemery is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland. It is thought that the name was taken to Ireland during one of the waves of Scottish immigration in the 17th century. In the 20th century, the surname became quite common in the United States, Australia, and Canada, as many of the Irish immigrants of the time bore the surname Mulgemery.
As mentioned above, the name could have several different origins and meanings. To ascertain the original meaning, a deeper look into the family tree of those who bear the surname is necessary. The unique and uncommon name of Mulgemery is a testament to the long history of the family, and the unknown origin of the name is an intriguing part of its legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisMulgemery: Where does the name Mulgemery come from?
The last name Mulgemery is most commonly found in the United States of America. The American Mulgemery family is an offshoot of the Irish Montgomery family, known historically for its great nobles and powerful lordships throughout Ireland, especially in Ulster and the Pale.
The Mulgemery name is first found in the United States in the late 18th century, mainly in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Prior to their immigration to the United States, members of the Mulgemery family had either come from Scotland or Ireland. Their ties to the Montgomery family in Ulster, Ireland, trace back to the 17th century.
The Mulgemery name is especially prominent in Pennsylvania, with the highest concentration occurring in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. It is also well represented in the other Mid-Atlantic states, such as New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Meanwhile, in other regions of the United States, the name is comparatively rare.
Today, the Mulgemery name is a common one in the United States, and can also be found in other parts of the world. A small number of Mulgomerys reside in Canada, the United Kingdom, and even Australia. Some struggle to be recognized and have adopted different spellings of their last name, such as Moglomery or Molgomery.
Variations of the surname Mulgemery
The surname Mulgemery is of Scottish origin and can be spelled with varying degrees of accuracy as Mulgrew, Malgrew, Malcrum, McGrimm, Mulgrom, McGuim, McGrium, Mulgroom and McGreev. Common variants are McGroom, Mulgrim, Mulgruim, Malgroom, Malgruim, Mugrimm and McGrow.
The names are believed to be derived from the Gaelic term Maelgharmhaigh or Maoldhaigh meaning "descendant of a servant" or "servant's son". It would have been used for an hereditary servile class in Medieval Scotland.
The surname can also be found in Ireland, particularly in the province of Ulster in the north east. In this context it is generally found as the Anglicised version of the Gallic name Maolghamhna meaning "servant of the tonsure" and referred to bearers of the ancient professional order who were attached to the clans of Brennan, Ó h-Eoghusa or Donlevy of Ulster.
The spelling with the 'w' as Mulgrew appears to be popular, found mostly in Northern Ireland and Scotland it is believed to be derived from the Irish spelling, at a period when 'w' and 'u' were interchangeable.
Mulgruim is particularly popular in Scotland and the Isle of Hebrides. Because of the Island's intermixing of Gaelic and Manx-Gaelic speakers, the spelling Mulgruim appears to have been used more widely than any other variants of the name.
The McGrium spelling is thought to hail from County Kerry in Ireland, sourced from the GaelicMacGuim meaning 'son of Guim'.
In some parts of Scotland the surname is also recorded as Miungaray or Mungerie.
In conclusion, the surname Mulgemery has many variations and spellings with its roots going back to Scotland and Ireland. It is believed to have come from Gaelic terms such as Maelgharmhaigh and Maoldhaigh, linked to professional classes that were servile to clans in medieval times.
Famous people with the name Mulgemery
- Andy Montgomery: Country music singer-songwriter
- Alan Montgomery: Professional tennis player
- Brandon Montgomery: Former American football player
- Dave Montgomery: Major League Baseball pitcher
- David Montgomery: American Football running back
- Joe Montgomery: American football player
- John A. Montgomery: Union Army soldier and Medal of Honor recipient
- Martha Montgomery: American actress
- Mike Montgomery: Basketball coach
- Robert Montgomery: Actor, director, and producer for television, stage, and film