Mckeogh Surname

The History and Distribution of the Surname McKeogh

The surname McKeogh is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eochaidh," which means "son of Eochaidh." This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was the son of a man named Eochaidh. The name Eochaidh is an ancient Irish name that has deep roots in Celtic mythology and history.

The McKeogh surname is relatively common in Ireland, with a total incidence of 536 according to data. This makes it one of the more prevalent surnames in the country. The surname is also found in other parts of the world, including the United States, where it has a significant incidence of 129. In the United Kingdom, the surname is most common in England, with an incidence of 87, followed by Northern Ireland with 31, Wales with 5, and Scotland with 1.

Origins of the McKeogh Surname

The McKeogh surname is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the personal name of an ancestor. In this case, the personal name is Eochaidh, which was a popular name in ancient Ireland. The prefix "Mac" means "son of," so Mac Eochaidh would mean "son of Eochaidh."

Eochaidh was a common name in Irish mythology and history, and several prominent figures in Irish legend bore this name. For example, Eochaidh Mac Erc was a legendary High King of Ireland who ruled in the 4th century. His descendants may have adopted the surname McKeogh to denote their lineage from this prestigious ancestor.

Distribution of the McKeogh Surname

As mentioned earlier, the McKeogh surname is most prevalent in Ireland, with a total incidence of 536. This indicates that the surname has deep roots in Irish history and culture. The surname is also found in other English-speaking countries, including the United States, where it has an incidence of 129, Canada with 38, Australia with 30, and New Zealand with 26.

In the United Kingdom, the McKeogh surname is most common in England, with an incidence of 87. This suggests that the surname may have originated in England and spread to other parts of the UK over time. The surname is also found in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, albeit with smaller incidences in each region.

Outside of the English-speaking world, the McKeogh surname is found in several European countries, including Sweden, Spain, France, the United Arab Emirates, Malta, and the Netherlands. While the surname may be less common in these countries, its presence indicates that the surname has spread beyond its Irish origins and has become a global surname.

Variants of the McKeogh Surname

Like many Irish surnames, the McKeogh surname has several variants that have evolved over time. Some common variants of the surname include MacKeogh, Keogh, McCoy, McKoy, and McHugh. These variants may have arisen due to differences in pronunciation, spelling, or regional dialects.

However, despite these variations, the core meaning of the surname remains the same – that of being the "son of Eochaidh." This ancestral connection is what ties all these variants together and gives them a common origin and heritage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the McKeogh surname is a venerable Irish surname with deep roots in Celtic mythology and history. The surname is most prevalent in Ireland, where it has a total incidence of 536. It is also found in other parts of the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The McKeogh surname is a patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eochaidh," meaning "son of Eochaidh." This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was the son of a man named Eochaidh, a name with ancient roots in Irish legend.

Despite its Irish origins, the McKeogh surname has spread to other countries in Europe and beyond, indicating the global reach of this venerable surname. The variants of the surname, such as MacKeogh, Keogh, McCoy, McKoy, and McHugh, all trace their lineage back to the original meaning of being the "son of Eochaidh."

The surname Mckeogh in the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it can be done to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Exactly the same happens in the case of Mckeogh, which as you can corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname that may be found in all of the countries associated with globe. In the same manner you will find nations in which undoubtedly the thickness of men and women using the surname Mckeogh is greater than in other countries.

The map of the Mckeogh surname

1. Ireland (536)
2. United States (129)
3. England (87)
4. Canada (38)
5. Nothern Ireland (31)
6. Australia (30)
7. New Zealand (26)
8. Sweden (7)
9. Wales (5)
10. United Arab Emirates (1)
11. Spain (1)
12. France (1)
13. Scotland (1)
14. Libya (1)
15. Malta (1)
16. Netherlands (1)