MCHUGH
Recorded variant spellings include Mc Hugh, Mchugh
McHugh is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Aodha, meaning son of Aodh. The personal name Aodh is commonly translated as “fire”, and it was a popular name in early Celtic societies, often associated with the sun god. In some historical analyses the name is also linked to the Old Norse word hugr, meaning heart, mind or spirit; therefore the surname can be interpreted as “son of the spirited one” in addition to its literal sense.
The family surname is traditionally associated with the British Isles, particularly within Ireland, where it arose among the Gaelic-speaking population. It is recorded as a Christian, Celtic name, indicating a long-standing presence on the island. The name appears in early documents as early as the eleventh century, with the earliest confirmed spelling Cucail MacAodha dated to 1098 in the “Manx Names List” compiled by Moore during the reign of King Edgar of Scotland (1097–1107).
Historically the surname has been represented across a number of counties. In the medieval period it was most prominent in County Donegal and County Tyrone, while later records locate the clan in County Galway, County Roscommon – where they appeared in the Composition Book of Connacht – and in County Mayo as members of the Connacht province. Two main septs were established in Ireland, one at Tuam and another in Connemara. Subsequent records from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries note their presence in the barony of Athlone, County Roscommon, where they were identified as prominent landowners.
Early ecclesiastical records preserve the surname, notably the life of Malachy MacHugh, Archbishop of Tuam (reign 1313–1348), whose name appears in the Annals of Clonmacnois and the Annals of Loch Ce. The surname continued to be mentioned in probate and parish registers, including the case of Alice McHugh, a famine emigrant aged 20, who left New York aboard the ship “Sheridan” on 7 May 1846.
Over the centuries a range of spelling variations has appeared. These include MacHugh, MacKay, MacKea, MacKee, MacKew, MacKue, Mackey, MacKie, MacCoy, McCue and the short forms commencing with Mc. The variation in orthography reflects differences in regional pronunciation, genealogical documentation and the gradual anglicisation of Gaelic names.
The coat of arms traditionally associated with the McHugh descendants is described as a green saltire; at the chief a red dexter hand couped at the wrist; in fess two green trefoils; and at the base a boat with oars proper. This heraldic device, placed on a dark background, is carried by some families who trace their lineage back to the earliest recorded septs.
In the modern era the surname has spread beyond Ireland, largely through emigration. It can now be found in significant numbers in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Canada, reflecting Irish immigration patterns of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Despite the diaspora, the name remains most common in its country of origin, where it continues to be used by individuals and families who maintain a direct connection to their Gaelic heritage.
Typical given names associated with the McHugh surname
Male
- Anthony
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Kathleen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname McHugh in...
Braille
⠍⠉⠓⠥⠛⠓
Morse
---.-.......---.....
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname McHugh are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a TUC.
There are approximately 9,312 people named McHugh in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,012th most common surname in Britain. Around 143 in a million people in Britain are named McHugh.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named McHugh
- Greg McHugh - Actor and writer
- Lisa McHugh -
- Bob McHugh - Scottish football player
- Frazer McHugh - Football player
- John McHugh - Deceased Scottish football goalkeeper (1909 to 1966)
- John McHugh - Scottish football player
- Francis McHugh - County cricketer (1925 to 2018)
- Gerry McHugh - Politician
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.