McKee
What is the origin of the last name McKee?
Meaning and origin
The last name McKee has its origin in Ireland, specifically derived from the Irish language. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Aodha, which translates to "son of Aodh." The ancient Gaelic name Aodh was a personal name meaning "fire" or "fiery." The surname McKee has strong ties to the Ulster region of Northern Ireland and is commonly found among the Scotch-Irish diaspora.
The longer story
The last name Mckee has several interesting facts associated with it. These facts have been derived from various sources available on the internet.
Firstly, the name Mckee is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is a variant spelling of the Gaelic surname Mac Aodha, which means "son of Aodh." Aodh is a Gaelic personal name derived from the Old Celtic word "Aed" meaning "fire." The surname Mac Aodha can be found in both Scotland and Ireland.
Secondly, the Mckee surname can be traced back centuries. The Mac Aodha clan was known for its prominence and influence in these regions, with many individuals holding positions of power and authority.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
Similar spellings
#780
McKee was the 780th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 44,137 people, about 15 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like McKee
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where McKee is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.