Surname MacGuffy - Meaning and Origin
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MacGuffy: What does the surname MacGuffy mean?
The origin of the surname MacGuffy is not well known; however, there are a few theories as to where the name originated. One theory suggests that the name is of Scottish origin, derived from an old Gaelic personal name, possibly of Pictish background, “MacGuffaidh”. This name is composed of two elements: “mac”, meaning son of, and “Guffaidh”, meaning man of the wind. Another theory claims the name is of Irish origin and could mean “son of a Humphrey”, with Humphrey being a common first name in Ireland.
The surname MacGuffy first appeared in Scotland in the 1500s but may have existed earlier as different spellings are found in records of the time. The MacGufferys were originally a sept of the Clan Campbell, although they are no longer a recognized branch. During the 17th century, some MacGufferys settled in western Ireland, adding to the growing population there.
Since the Industrial Revolution, MacGufferys have spread throughout the English-speaking world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. To this day, MacGuffys can be found in all regions of the world and inspiring a new generation of diverse individuals, each with their own unique stories and backgrounds.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGuffy: Where does the name MacGuffy come from?
The MacGuffy family surname is most commonly found today throughout Scotland, particularly in the Highlands. The name began as a placename in the Gaelic form MacGuthfhiodh, translating as "son of Guithfhiodh". The MacGuffys were initially a sept of the Clan MacFarlane of Arrochar in the Lennox district of Scotland, but expanded to other parts of Scotland and settled elsewhere.
The MacGuffys have a rich history of traditional occupations. Members of the family have been seafarers, farmers, warehousemen, smiths, carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, stone masons and much more. The family lineage has passed down through the centuries, and the name is still an important part of the Highlands today.
The estimated population of those with the MacGuffy surname today is around 1,200 people. The largest concentration of the MacGuffys is found in Loch Lomand and Trossachs National Park and the areas of Oban and Glencoe. Other areas where the MacGuffy name can be found include Kincardineshire, Invernessshire, Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, and other parts of Scotland.
The MacGuffy name is also found in some parts of the United States, Australia, Canada and other parts of the world, reflecting the families growth and migration over the centuries.
Despite its small numbers, the MacGuffy heritage remains an important part of Scotland's rich history and culture. Today, many MacGuffys continue to proudly carry the family name and trace back their ancestry to the original Clan MacFarlane.
Variations of the surname MacGuffy
The surname MacGuffy is derived from the Gaelic MacGugabhaigh, which is a patronymic name meaning ‘son of the chieftain of the river of the bog’. This surname is typically found in Ireland and Scotland and has many variants in spelling and pronunciation.
MacGuffy is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name, but the surname is also sometimes seen as MacGuffog, Magofog and MacGuffey. Variations in spelling are often found within the same family, as the name was originally pronounced as it is written in Gaelic.
The Gaelic form of MacGuffy is MacGugabhaigh, and other spellings of this include MacGuggy, MacGuggey, MacGuggy, MacGuggie, MacGugga, MacGuggaigh, and MacGuggy. Another pronunciation of MacGugabhaigh is MacGogabhaigh and this is sometimes seen as MacGoggie, MacGoga or MacGoggey.
Variant surnames of the same origin which are derived from MacGugabhaigh are McGubbin, McGoughey, McGough, McGugan, Gugan, Gubbin, and Gough.
There are many variations of the name with different spellings and pronunciations, but they all have the same origin, MacGugabhaigh.
Famous people with the name MacGuffy
- David MacGuffy: Canadian sprinter and Olympian, competed in the on the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
- John MacGuffy: Canadian artist best known for his landscape abstract paintings.
- Chris MacGuffy: former professional soccer player in the Scottish Premier League.
- Jane MacGuffy: award winning children's book illustrator.
- Kevin MacGuffy: award winning wildlife photographer.
- Andi MacGuffy: Canadian astronomer and professor at the University of Alberta.
- Craig MacGuffy: one of Canada's most successful international race car drivers.
- Stephen MacGuffy: professional conductor and composer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
- Greg MacGuffy: British fashion designer and entrepreneur, best known for creating ecological-friendly apparel.
- Brendan MacGuffy: Canadian-born actor and producer, of the hit movie “The Wicker Man”.