Last Name Mcgeever

The surname McGeever is a variant of the Irish surname Mac Giobúir, which means "son of Giobúr" in Gaelic. The given name Giobúr is derived from the Old Norse name Jófurr, which means "lord" or "prince." In Ireland, this surname was typically found in counties such as Antrim, Down, and Armagh, where the influence of Norse and Viking settlers was strongest. However, like many Irish surnames, it has undergone various spellings over time, leading to different variations including McGeever.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mcgeever

The meaning and origin of the last name Mcgeever

The surname McGeever is an Anglicized form of several Irish Gaelic sept names, primarily Mac Geibheir (Anglicized as MacGeever or McGeefery) and Mac Ghaobhair (MacGavar or McAvoy). These names originated from counties Tipperary, Cork, and Waterford in Ireland. The name McGeever comes from the Gaelic word "geabhradh," which means "journey" or "pilgrimage." It was often given to a child born during a journey or to someone who made a notable pilgrimage. The Anglicized form of these names, including McGeever, appeared in Scotland and later in Ulster (Northern Ireland) due to the Plantation of Ireland by the English. Over time, spelling variations such as McGeever, McGheever, Mac Geevor, and MacGheever have emerged as a result of factors such as transliteration errors and regional dialects.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mcgeever

The surname McGeever is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Cork and Kerry, where it is thought to have originated from the Gaelic Mac Giobúir, meaning "son of Geoffrey." Over time, the spelling has evolved into various forms including McGeevers, McGeeves, and MacGeevers. The diaspora of Irish immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries led to a dispersal of the name across the globe, with significant populations now residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain. Today, while Ireland remains the epicenter, the McGeever family name can be found scattered across various countries, reflecting the historical migration patterns of the Irish diaspora.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mcgeever

The surname McGeever has several spelling variants and can be found under various forms due to differences in transcription and translation over time and across regions. Some common variations include McGeever, McGheever, MacGheever, MacKeever, MacKeyver, MacKeefer, McKiever, and McKeever. These alterations may arise from changes in spelling rules, dialectical differences, or the influence of other languages. It is essential to note that while these variations share a common origin, they might have distinct family lineages or branches due to genealogical developments over centuries.

Famous people with the last name Mcgeever

The McGeevers, while not as numerous as some other surnames, have produced several notable figures. One of the most prominent is Charles "Chuck" McGeever, an American astronaut who flew four missions aboard NASA's Space Shuttle, including STS-93, where he served as Pilot for the first spaceflight of a female Commander, Eileen Collins. In the realm of sports, there is Mark McGeever, a Scottish footballer who played professionally for teams like Aberdeen and Leicester City FC in the 1980s and 1990s. In the world of academia, John A. McGeveran is a renowned American legal scholar and professor at the University of Miami School of Law. Lastly, in entertainment, Jamie McGeever is a British journalist who has worked for several major news outlets, including Reuters and CNN, covering global events such as the Arab Spring and the Syrian Civil War. These are some of the notable McGeevers who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Mcgeever

The surname McGeever is believed to have originated from the Irish Gaelic "Mac Giobhuair", meaning "son of the smith". This name was most concentratedly found in the counties of Antrim and Down in Ulster, Ireland. One notable bearer of this surname was John McGeever (1825-1907), who emigrated from Ireland to the United States during the Great Famine. In the U.S., the McGeevers are most commonly found in the states of California, New York, and Texas. The name also has a presence in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Nova Scotia. The distribution pattern suggests that many McGeevers left Ireland during the 19th and early 20th centuries to seek better opportunities overseas. Today, there are estimated to be over 8,000 people worldwide who bear this surname.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Mcgeever"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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