Surname McQuague - Meaning and Origin
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McQuague: What does the surname McQuague mean?
The surname McQuague is of Irish origin. It’s an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "Mac Uaid", which is a patronymic (named to honor the male ancestor) name derived from the forename "Uaid". "Uaid" means "pale-colored" or "fair" in Gaelic. Therefore, the name McQuague, it is thought to mean "son of the fair or pale-colored one". Like many surnames, McQuague originated as a way to distinguish between two or more people with the same first name. Over time, these names became hereditary and were passed down from generation to generation. It's important to note that surnames can alter in form and spelling over time due to factors such as immigration and anglicization. Hence, variations of the name McQuague may exist.
Order DNA origin analysisMcQuague: Where does the name McQuague come from?
The surname McQuague appears to originate from Scotland or Ireland, embodying the Gaelic tradition of using "Mc" or "Mac" (meaning "son of") at the beginning of surnames. However, the exact etymology or original spelling of McQuague is not clear due to variation in phonetic translations over centuries. Today, the surname appears to be quite rare and isn't extremely common in any specific country or region. According to several surname distribution maps and databases, individuals bearing the last name McQuague can be found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. But given the potential Gaelic origin, it might also be present in some parts of Scotland and Ireland, albeit likely in relatively small numbers as well. As is common with many surnames, its distribution is likely affected by historical migration patterns.
Variations of the surname McQuague
The surname McQuague is an anglicization of the Gaelic name Mac Uaid, indicating son of Uaid. Its variants and alternative spellings can include McQuaid, McWade, MacQuaid, McQuoid, McQuade, McQuaide, MacQuade, McQuaig, MacQuaig, McQuaigg and McWaid. There are other less common spellings too like McWaide or MacWaide.
The name primarily originates from Ireland, particularly found in the Northern counties. Multiple families may bear the surname, without a shared origin. Variations in the spelling of McQuague can be attributed not only to dialectic differences, but also to the transition from Gaelic to English, with different phonetic interpretations. Over time, families interpreting or translating the name may have changed or dropped letters, leading to such variations.
Surnames of the same origin or with similar etymology include other ‘Mc’ or ‘Mac’ surnames denoting sonship or descent, though these may not directly relate to the root ‘Uaid’. Given the diversity within Gaelic naming traditions, it's important to remember that all variations may not hold the same significance or meaning as the original name.
Famous people with the name McQuague
- J.D. McQuague, former infielder in Major League Baseball
- William McQuague, international bestselling mystery novelist
- Kelli McQuague, former NCAA volleyball player
- Brian McQuague, former professional ice hockey player
- Richard McQuague, retired Canadian lawyer
- Alan McQuague, Canadian musician
- Mark McQuague, former NASCAR driver
- Shannon McQuague, Northern Irish singer and songwriter
- Gordon McQuague, Canadian professional ice hockey coach
- Jessie McQuague, Olympic medallist in figure skating