Surname McVae - Meaning and Origin

McVae: What does the surname McVae mean?

McVae is a variant of the surname MacVay or MacVey, which are anglicized forms of the Gaelic name 'Mac Bheatha', meaning 'son of life.' This surname likely originated as a nickname for an individual with a particularly lively or vivacious nature. The prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' signifies 'son of,' exemplifying the Celtic tradition of patronymic naming, where the name of the father forms part of the child's identity. Originating in Ireland and Scotland, individuals bearing this surname can be found predominantly in these countries and other English-speaking countries due to emigration patterns. However, spelling variations such as McVae can occur due to shifts in pronunciation and transcription over time and across geographical regions.

McVae: Where does the name McVae come from?

The surname McVae is of Scottish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic MacBheathain, meaning 'son of life.' This patronymic name has many variants such as MacVay, McVeagh, McVeigh, MacBeth, and MacVey among others. Many families with this surname trace their origins back to the Scottish Highlands and specifically the ancient Pictish tribes. The surname is considered rare today. However, due to Scottish emigration during the 16th to 19th centuries looking for better lives, it may be found in countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in addition to Scotland. It's most common in countries where the Scottish diaspora have settled, though exact numbers are hard to find due to the rarity of the name.

Variations of the surname McVae

The surname McVae, mainly found in Scotland, may have other variants and spellings due to regional accents, transcription errors, and individual choices. Some of these variants could include McVay, MacVay, and McVeagh. The 'Mc' or 'Mac' in Scottish and Irish surnames typically stands for 'son of', hence these surnames can exist without the prefix, such as Vae, Vay, and Veagh.

Other possible variants or spellings might involve phonetic similarities, like McVey, McVeigh, McVie, or even go to the extent of MacGillivray, as sometimes 'Vae' and 'Vray' can sound similar. In addition to these, the surname may be Anglicized or translated into other languages or specifically English, leading to yet other variations like the surname Sonvea.

Occasionally, surnames have been simplified or modified for easier pronunciation or assimilation, which could lead to further variants of the name. Finally, it is also not uncommon for certain surnames to have female variants. While no specific examples are available for McVae, possibly, something like 'MacVayie' (following the pattern in Gaelic, where a feminine suffix ‘-ie’ or ‘-aidh’ is added to the male name) might be used.

Famous people with the name McVae

• Angus McVae: a Scottish filmmaker known for his work in the documentary film genre
• Malcolm McVae: a Scottish footballer who won multiple championships with multiple teams
• Tara McVae: an American actress who has appeared in television series such as King of Queens and House of Lies
• alarm McVae: a Scottish musician and song writer, best known as the lead singer of the band ‘the Fratellis’
• Sean McVae: a Scottish actor, best known for his roles in films such as ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Tron: Legacy’
• Cain McVae: an Irish musician, best known for his collaborative work with popular Irish artists such as U2 and Van Morrison
• Graham McVae: a Scottish entrepreneur who founded the popular fashion clothing company Burberry
• Neil McVae: an Australian rugby player who represented Australia in multiple Rugby World Cups
• Thomas McVae: a British explorer who was the first to chart and name the North Pacific Ocean
• Scott McVae: a Canadian hockey player who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009

Other surnames

McVaddockMcVailMcVay