Surname McGarvey - Meaning and Origin
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McGarvey: What does the surname McGarvey mean?
The surname McGarvey is an Anglicized form of an original Gaelic patronymic name, "Magarbhith," which translates to "son of the rough one." Multiple accounts suggest that this name originated from the Northern Irish province of Ulster, specifically Donegal County, where the McGarveys were considered part of the local gentry. Like many surnames with Gaelic roots, its current English form is phonetically-based on the ancestral Gaelic pronunciation. The lineage of the McGarvey clan can be traced back to Niall of the Nine Hostages, a famous Irish king. The advent of surnames in Ireland came in the 11th century as clans began to expand and it became necessary to identify individual members more specifically. Patronymic-style last names like "McGarvey," derived from a father's given name, were the norm. The cultural and historical significance of the surname McGarvey is a testament to the rich Gaelic history and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGarvey: Where does the name McGarvey come from?
The last name McGarvey derives from the Gaelic Mac Gairbhith, where "Mac" denotes 'son of' and "Gairbhith" translates to 'rough peace'. It is an Irish surname primarily associated with the county Donegal. The name derives from a family that once held significant territory in this region.
Today, the surname McGarvey is most common in Northern Ireland, particularly within the province of Ulster, and the Republic of Ireland. It especially remains prominent in counties including Donegal and Derry. Outside of Ireland, you'll find a fair number of McGarveys in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, largely due to the dispersal of the Irish diaspora. This is particularly true in those areas that experienced a large influx of Irish settlers. However, globally, the surname is rare; hence it isn't popular in many places.
Variations of the surname McGarvey
The surname McGarvey originates from Ireland. Its variations include MacGarvey, Magarvey, Magarvie, Magarvy and Mac Garvey. The name could also be derived from the Gaelic name "Mag Oirbhealachain," which was Anglicized into Mag Arbhealacháin and then shortened to Garvey. Other possible spellings and variations of this surname can be Garvie, Gervie, Geraghty, and Garvaghy.
The name McGarvey itself has also been represented in many ways throughout history. It has been noted as M'Garvey, M'Gauran, MacGouran, MacGorman, and others.
Moreover, due to emigration and the influence of other languages, variations of this name may also exist in other countries. For example, in Scotland, versions like MacGourlay, MacGourley, or Gourley may exist.
As with many surnames, the exact spelling can often change over time or vary based on geographical area and personal preference, so it's possible to find even more variations of the McGarvey surname.
Famous people with the name McGarvey
- Austin McGarvey: An American professional baseball player.
- J.P. McGarvey: Known as Paul, he was a former major league baseball player.
- Rob McGarvey: A recognized economist and political writer in Sacramento, California.
- Paul McGarvey: He was a former Scottish football player who played with a variety of clubs in the 1980s.
- Bernie McGarvey: A noteworthy figure in social activism particularly in alcoholism treatment in Northern Ireland.
- John Alexander "Jock" McGarvey: He was a former Scottish professional football player and manager.
- Robert J. McGarvey: Canadian politician who served as the mayor of Richmond Hill, Ontario.
- Eldon S. McGarvey: Renowned American judge, former Associate Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court.
- Andrew McGarvey: CEO of Promptly Health SA, a Portugal-based health-tech company.
- James Martin McGarvey: He has been honored with the honor of the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in the U.S. Army during World War II.