MCQUADE
Recorded variant spellings include Mc Quade, Mcquade
The McQuade surname derives from Gaelic origins and is most closely associated with the British Isles, particularly Scotland and Ireland. The name first appears within Gaelic contexts, where it carries Christian significance and is identified with Celtic heritage.
Derivation and Etymology – The surname is an anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Uaid or Mac Uaide, meaning “son of Uaid.” The personal name Uaid is believed to be a variant of Aodh, a Gaelic word that translates literally as “fire” or “fiery.” Consequently, the name may originally signifying a descendant of a person named Uaid or Aodh.
Variant Spellings – Historical records show the surname in a number of forms: MacQuade, MacQuaid, MacQuode, MacWatt, MacQuatt, Quade, Quaid. In many cases, the prefix “Mc” has been reduced or omitted entirely. Some early records indicate that the name may have been influenced by French or German elements introduced to Scotland after the Norman invasion of 1066, but such connections remain uncertain.
The earliest documented use of the name in Ireland appears in the fourteenth century. The surname also appears in Scottish documents, notably as MacWatt or MacQuatt. A 1455 Scottish registry records Gilbert MacWat as a king’s messenger, and the Irish hearth‑tax rolls of 1674 list the modern spellings for the counties of Monaghan and Armagh – regions historically linked to Scottish settlement.
Geographical Distribution – In Scotland the surname is primarily associated with the southern counties of Ayrshire and Dumfriesshire. Within Ireland it is most commonly found in counties Donegal, Sligo, Monaghan, and Armagh. The surname has spread beyond the British Isles, being recorded in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. In the United States it occurs frequently in the South Atlantic, East North Central, West South Central, and Pacific divisions, reflecting patterns of migration from Ireland during the nineteenth‑century potato famine and earlier periods.
During the famine years of 1846‑48 the name entered the United States in significant numbers; the first Recorded emigrant was James McQuade, who departed Belfast Lough aboard the ship Patrick‑Henry on 26 April 1846.
Cultural Significance – The McQuade family has a documented legacy of loyalty, patriotism, public service and faith. Members of the surname have historically served in Irish politics, in the military, and within the Church. The family crest incorporates distinctly Irish symbols such as the Celtic cross, the harp, and the Irish wolfhound, underscoring the deep cultural roots of the name. Qualities often attributed to bearers of the surname include honesty, loyalty, hard work and determination.
In contemporary times the McQuade surname remains one of the forty most common surnames of Irish origin and is increasingly popular among Irish‑Americans. Its continued presence across multiple continents attests to the enduring nature of the name and its historical significance within the Irish and Scottish diaspora.
Typical given names associated with the McQuade surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Joseph
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Eileen
- Elizabeth
- Jean
- Julie
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Roberta
- Sarah
- Sharon
- 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 McQuade in...
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There are approximately 3,099 people named McQuade in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,905th most common surname in Britain. Around 48 in a million people in Britain are named McQuade.
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 McQuade
- John McQuade - Politician (1911 to 1984)
- Jim McQuade - Football player
- Denis McQuade - Scottish football player
- John McQuade - Football player
- Betty McQuade - (1941 to 2011)
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.