Meaning and origin
The last name McGhee is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Aodha, meaning "son of Aodh" or "son of fire." Aodh is an old Irish personal name that signifies "fire," symbolizing a fierce or spirited nature. As a patronymic surname, McGhee denoted the descendants of someone named Aodh, highlighting their familial connection and ancestral heritage. The name likely originated in the western region of Scotland and is commonly associated with the Highlands and Islands. Over time, variations such as McGeachy and McGee have emerged, reflecting phonetic changes and anglicization.
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
#1,529
McGhee was the 1,529th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 23,461 people, about 7.6 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like McGhee
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where McGhee 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.