Surname McVeigh - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McVeigh: What does the surname McVeigh mean?
The surname McVeigh is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac an Bheatha" or "Mac a’ Bheatha", which roughly translates to "son of life" or "son of the lively one". The exact origins are somewhat disputed, but most agree that it is a sept, or branch, of the great O’Neill clans of County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. It is believed that the McVeighs were hereditary physicians to the O'Neills, with "Bheatha" associated with life, giving rise to the thought that it is connected to healing and medicine. One must note that over centuries, the name underwent numerous spelling variations like McVeagh, McVeigh, McVey and others due to the change in languages and dialects. Remember that when considering the meaning of a surname, it is important to understand that they emerged organically over centuries rather than being intentionally chosen, hence may not always bear a specific or clear meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisMcVeigh: Where does the name McVeigh come from?
The surname McVeigh is of Irish origin, specifically from the Gaelic Mac Bethadha. The prefix "Mac" means "son of," and "Bethadha" is derived from "beatha," meaning life. So, the name essentially signifies "son of life." It was initially adapted into English as MacVeagh, which then evolved into the current form, McVeigh. Historically, families with this last name were based in the counties Tyrone and Armagh in Northern Ireland, where the name is still prevalent today. Beyond Ireland, McVeigh is common in countries that saw significant Irish immigration, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. It's worth noting that the prevalence of Irish surnames, including McVeigh, can often vary greatly even within these countries. It's most likely to be found in areas that had a high concentration of Irish immigrants.
Variations of the surname McVeigh
The surname McVeigh has variations and different spellings that underscore its Irish cultural origins. It's an anglicized form of 'Mac an Bháird,' which means 'son of the bard.' Its main variant spelling is McVey, but others include MacVeigh, McVeagh, and MacVey.
There is also McVay, which is more common in Scotland and America. Additional variations include MacVay, McVeight, McVaigh, and MacVeagh. Sometimes, the 'Mc' or 'Mac' prefixes might be omitted, resulting in surnames like Veigh, Vey or Veay.
The use of 'Mc' or 'Mac' in a surname usually indicates Irish or Scottish origins, both meaning 'son of.' Therefore, common surnames with these prefixes can be regarded as being of the same origin. Despite minor differences in spelling, all these versions maintain the same fundamental meaning and represent the descendants of the bard or poet in Gaelic societies.
Furthermore, it is crucial to remember that discrepancies in spelling could have emerged over generations due to translation between languages and dialects, illiteracy, or immigration. As such, those carrying these different but fundamentally interconnected surnames can trace their lineage back to the bards of Celtic society.
Famous people with the name McVeigh
- Timothy McVeigh: US terrorist responsible for the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma, resulting in 168 deaths.
- Thomas McVeigh: Former Grand Master of Irish Freemasons.
- Barry McVeigh: Former successful race car driver
- Brian McVeigh: Former professional football player for the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers.
- Rory McVeigh: Sociologist and expert of the Irish-American experience.
- Siobhan McVeigh: Irish journalist and writer.
- Dave McVeigh: Australian field hockey goalkeeper, Olympic silver medalist.
- Seamus McVeigh: Northern Ireland businessman and real estate tycoon.
- Scarlette McVeigh: Irish fashion designer.
- Jude McVeigh: Irish Gaelic footballer.
- Jo McVeigh: Radio personality and actor.
- Megan McVeigh: Canadian actress.
- Michael McVeigh: American actor.
- Eric McVeigh: English soccer player.
- Tommy McVeigh: Irish singer, songwriter, and entertainer.
- Martin McVeigh: Irish footballer
- Don McVeigh: Canadian actor and TV presenter.
- Yvonne McVeigh: Canadian singer.
- Colleen McVeigh: Australian former swimmer and Olympic gold medalist.
- Talka McVeigh: Scottish poet and singer.