Last Name Mcginty

The surname McGinty is of Irish origin, specifically from County Donegal in Ulster. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Giomhnaigh or Mac Eoin Tigh, meaning "son of John of the house." The name's roots can be traced back to the early medieval period. Similar variations include McGettigan, McGinnity, and MacIntyre, among others, which may have arisen due to regional variations in pronunciation or spelling over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mcginty

The meaning and origin of the last name Mcginty

The surname McGinty is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Mac Giomháid, which translates to 'son of the smith' or 'son of the blacksmith'. It originated from Gaelic-speaking Ireland and was primarily found in County Donegal. The Anglicization process began during the 16th and 17th centuries when English rule expanded into Ireland, leading to a greater need for surnames as a way to standardize the identification of individuals. The name underwent various changes over time, including MacGowan, Maguinness, and McGintie, eventually settling on its current form, McGinty. Today, it is most prevalent in Ireland and among Irish diaspora communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mcginty

The surname McGinty is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in counties Donegal, Tyrone, and Derry, which are located in the northern part of the island. It is also present in significant numbers in Scotland, especially in the Strathclyde region, indicating a possible Scottish origin as well. In the United States, the highest concentrations of McGinty descendants can be found along the east coast, particularly in cities with large Irish immigrant populations such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Additionally, small communities of McGintys are scattered across Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries due to emigration from Ireland and Scotland over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mcginty

The surname McGinty has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and regional pronunciation over time. Some common spelling variants include:

1. MacGinty - This is the Gaelic form of the name, with the "Mac" prefix indicating a son of.
2. Mc Ginty - Variations with a space are less common but still occur due to personal preference or informal usage.
3. McInty - A slight misspelling that omits the 'g' in McGinty.
4. MacGinity, MacGintie - These variations may arise from phonetic transcriptions, where the 't' sound is pronounced as 'ty'.
5. Magenty, MacGetty - These are less common anglicized versions of the name.
6. McKinty, MacKenty - These variations incorporate the Scottish Gaelic prefix "Mac" and a different surname spelling.
7. MacIntee, McInteer - These variations represent attempts to modernize or simplify the spelling of McGinty.

Famous people with the last name Mcginty

Notable individuals with the surname McGinty include:

1. Mike McGinty, an American professional wrestler, known for his tenure in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
2. John McGinty, a British guitarist who has worked with various artists such as The Beatles, Elton John, and Gerry & The Pacemakers.
3. Christine Quinn, an American politician born to Irish parents. Despite her name, she does not use the surname McGinty in politics. She served as Speaker of the New York City Council from 2014-2021.
4. John McGinty Sr., a decorated American law enforcement officer who served as the Los Angeles Police Department's chief from 1978 to 1980. His son, John McGinty Jr., also became an LAPD commander.
5. James McGinty, a Scottish professional footballer who played for several clubs including Celtic and Scotland national team in the 1950s and 60s.
6. Thomas Francis "Hollywood Tom" McGinty, an American professional wrestler and stuntman, known for his appearances in various WWE programs.

Genealogical research on the last name Mcginty

The surname McGinty is primarily an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Mac Giolla Easpuig, meaning "son of the servant of St. Patrick." The name is most prevalent in County Donegal, Ulster, in Ireland. The McGintys were a sept of the O'Donnell clan and their territory was known as Tir Conaill. They played an important role during the medieval period. Emigration, particularly to Scotland, England, and the United States began during the 18th century due to political instability and economic hardships in Ireland. In the US, McGinty is most frequently found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, with a significant number also in Texas and California. The name spread to Australia and Canada as well, reflecting the global diaspora of Irish families. Notable figures with the surname include American boxer Michael McGinty and Australian rules footballer Darren McGhee.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

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

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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 : 28 July 2025

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