This ancient surname is of early Gaelic origins. It is derived from 'Maccbethad' (the modern Scottish 'Macbeth'), meaning 'son of life', or 'man of religion', which hardly fits in with Shakespeares interpretation! Today the name is quite numerous in North East Ulster and it is found in a wide variety of spellings which include McVeigh, MacVaugh, MacVagh, MacVaugh, McVey, MacBey, etc.. However its probable place of origin was in the Scottish Islands of Mull and Islay where in the medieval times it is believed that the Clan were the hereditary physicians to the region.
They were also, it is said, great historians, and collectors of ancient manuscripts. The recordings include Father Patrick Macabeath (1541), Bishop of Armagh, Ireland, whilst John McVeigh was a prominent rebel in the 1798 rebellion of Ireland and was executed at Baltinglass. Church recordings include the following examples, Leiticia McVeagh who married Thomas Gordon on the April 1st 1785, at Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, whilst Anna McVey, aged 25, is recorded as being a 'Famine Emigrant' who sailed on the ship 'Manchester' from Belfast to New York, on September 25th 1846. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Macvay, which was dated 1504, in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, during the reign of King James 1V of Scotland, 1488 - 1513. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Discovering the historical roots of mcvey is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname mcvey, and in addition to the original locations of mcvey, we can find out where people with the surname mcvey can currently be found.
Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname mcvey. The mobility of people carrying the surname mcvey has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.
The historical chronicle of mcvey is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname mcvey are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective.
We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname mcvey, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname mcvey or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of mcvey.
It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished mcveys throughout human history. A surname like mcvey can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames.
Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of mcvey. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname mcvey, as well as many other surnames.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of mcvey, and at the same time, of surnames in general.