McGhie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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The roots of the McGhie family stretch back to the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands, who were the first to use this surname. It is derived from the Gaelic name Aodh, meaning Hugh, and the word mac, meaning son of. 1

Early Origins of the McGhie family

The surname McGhie 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 McGhie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGhie 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 McGhie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGhie Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. McGhie has been spelled MacGee, MacGhie, MacGhee, Magee and others.

Early Notables of the McGhie 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 McGhie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGhie Ranking

In the United States, the name McGhie is the 15,125^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Migration of the McGhie family to Ireland

Some of the McGhie 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.

McGhie migration to the United States +

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

McGhie Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jean McGhie, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 4
John McGhie, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 4

McGhie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander McGhie, aged 24, who landed in New York in 1812 4

McGhie migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McGhie Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James McGhie, Scottish convict who was convicted in Dumfries, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st September 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
Miss Helen McGhie, (McGie), Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
Miss Ann McGhie who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Cadet" on 4th September 1847, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7

McGhie migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McGhie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Samuel McGhie, (b. 1856), aged 27, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Westland" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 3rd October 1883 8
Mrs. Harriet McGhie, (b. 1861), aged 22, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Westland" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 3rd October 1883 8
Mr. Thomas McGhie, (b. 1881), aged 2, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Westland" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 3rd October 1883 8
Miss Hannah McGhie, (b. 1883), aged 1 month, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Westland" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 3rd October 1883 8

Contemporary Notables of the name McGhie (post 1700) +

William "Billy" McGhie (b. 1961), nicknamed "Budgie," a Scottish former footballer
James Marshall McGhie (b. 1944), Lord McGhie, Chairman of the Scottish Land Court and President of the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, and a Senator of the College of Justice
Gordon McGhie, Canadian music composer for film, known for his work on MegaMan NT Warrior (2005), and The Bard (2008)
Major-General John McGhie CB (1914-1985), Scottish-born British Army psychiatrist, author, former Director of Army Psychiatry and President of the Ministry of Defence Army Medical Board, Honorary Physician to H. M. Queen Elizabeth II in 1971
Robert "Robbie" McGhie (b. 1951), former Australian rules football player