Megee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

In ancient Scotland, the first people to use the name Megee were part of a tribe known as the Strathclyde Britons. The name is derived from the Gaelic name Aodh, meaning Hugh, and the word mac, meaning son of. 1

Early Origins of the Megee family

The surname Megee was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area.

The first on record was Gilmighel Mac Ethe of Dumfries who rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296. "In the following year, as Gille Michel MacGethe, he was thanked by Edward I for putting down evildoers and for other services. Neel McEthe, Gillecryst McEthe, Hoen McEthe, Cuthbert his brother, and all of the lineage of Clenafren, made submission to Edward I in 1298. Michael Macgethe was juror on an inquisition in Annandale, 1304." 2

Early History of the Megee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Megee research. Another 311 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1331, 1339, 1424, 1426, 1444, 1463, 1471, 1473, 1480, 1500, 1506, 1527, 1570, 1574, 1595, 1611, 1673, 1682 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Megee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Megee Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Megee has appeared as MacGee, MacGhie, MacGhee, Magee and others.

Early Notables of the Megee family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Gilbert M'Ghie, 1st Lord of Balmage (d. 1426); Gilbert M'Gy, 2nd Lord of Balmage (1426-1471);William M'Gye of Balmage and...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Megee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Megee family to Ireland

Some of the Megee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Megee family

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them: Andrew McGee who settled in Baltimore in 1804; Catherine MacGee, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1772; Charles, Daniel, Francis, Henry, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Robert and William, McGee, who all arrived in Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860.

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)