McGees History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of McGees

What does the name McGees mean?

As a native Irish name, McGees is derived from the Gaelic "Mag Aodha," or "son of Hugh," while others of the name in Ireland, are ultimately of Scottish origin.

There are different understandings of the Gaelic origin as another source notes the name is "from the Irish O’Maolgaoithe; a personal name Chief of Muintir Maolgaoithe (gaoth, wind; pronounced ‘ghee’.) " 1

Early Origins of the McGees family

The surname McGees was first found in along the border of counties Donegal and Tyrone (Irish:Tír Eoghain), the ancient territory of the O'Neills, now in the Province of Ulster, central Northern Ireland, where they are thought to be descended from the Colla Uais.

The McGees surname has also been long associated with County Antrim, because of the peninsula at Lough Larne, known as the Island Magee which was part of their early Ulster territories. Before the Norman invasion in the 12th century, a Magee was chief of a Sept in county Westmeath. Today, the name is most common in Ulster; however, most of these bearers are of Scottish descent.

Early History of the McGees family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGees research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1717, 1755, 1766, 1821, 1825, 1830, 1831, 1846, 1868, 1880 and 1891 are included under the topic Early McGees History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGees Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Magee, Macgee, Mcgee, McGahee, McGhee and others.

Early Notables of the McGees family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGees Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McGees family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Eleanor Magee, who arrived in Boston in 1763; James Magee, who was also in Boston, in 1768; Mary Macgee, who was an immigrant in bondage, who arrived in America in 1765.

Sources +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.