McClave History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of McClave

What does the name McClave mean?

The surname McClave comes from the Irish name Mac Laithimh, from "flaitheamh" meaning "ruler." In Ulster the name is anglicized as MacClave and MacLave. In County Monaghan, however, the name is frequently mistranslated as Hand, since the name is phonetically similar to another Gaelic word "lamh" for "hand." Claffey is the most common variant in the midlands of Ireland. 1

Early Origins of the McClave family

The surname McClave was first found in Ulster (Irish: Ulaidh).

Early History of the McClave family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McClave research. More information is included under the topic Early McClave History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McClave Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Claffey, MacClaffey, MacClave, MacLave, Hand and others.

Early Notables of the McClave family

More information is included under the topic Early McClave Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McClave migration to the United States +

McClave Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James McClave, aged 45, who landed in New York in 1812 2

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)