Surname McCabe - Meaning and Origin
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An iGENEA DNA Journey: From a McCabe's perspective - Of Ireland, Scotland, and Native American Roots
Exploring the family tree always promises intriguing discoveries, but turning to genetics exposes a wealth of hidden information. Embarking on this journey via an iGENEA DNA test offered me unique insights into the surname McCabe and its origins in Scotland, thoroughly shifting my perception of my family identity.
L. McCabe
read moreMcCabe: What does the surname McCabe mean?
The last name McCabe is of Irish origin and translates as "son of Cabe." The name Cabe is derived from the Gaelic term "cabo" which means "cape" and was a nickname for someone who lived near a cape or large piece of land projecting into a body of water. Therefore, McCabe can be interpreted as "son of the one who lives by the cape." Over time, it has been modified into various forms such as MacCabe, McCaba, and MacCaba. The name is common particularly in the County of Monaghan in Ireland. It was originally used to signify descendants of a famous warrior named Caba who lived during the 14th century.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCabe: Where does the name McCabe come from?
The surname McCabe originates from Ireland, deriving from the Gaelic Mac Cába, which means "son of Cába." The name Cába is believed to have originated from an individual who served as a military leader or captain. The McCabe clan can trace their roots back to the 14th century, predominantly in the northern regions of Ireland such as Ulster.
During the 1800s, many Irish people, including numerous McCabes, emigrated to escape the Great Famine and for the promise of a better life abroad. This has resulted in McCabe becoming a prominent surname in various countries worldwide, particularly those with significant Irish diaspora populations.
Today, the surname McCabe is most commonly found in Ireland, remaining particularly prevalent in the province of Ulster. However, due to historical mass emigration, the name is also widespread in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the name was often anglicized to Cobb due to pronunciation difficulties. Despite such changes, the McCabe surname has maintained its direct links with Irish heritage.
Variations of the surname McCabe
The surname McCabe is of Irish origin and traced back to the Gaelic name Mac Cába. The McCabe surname has not undergone significant alterations or variations in spelling compared to some other surnames, but some variants and spelling variations include MacCabe, MacAbe, and MacCabot.
The surname McCabe is often associated with the coat of arms granted to a McCabe family located in Breffny, Ireland. This specific armigerous family, with roots in medieval Irish history, modified Mac Cába to MacCabe or MacCaba.
McCabe may also be found in its anglicized form without the 'Mac' prefix, resulting in the variant Cabe. Moreover, you may encounter phonetic variations due to regional accents and dialects, which could result in different spellings.
Additionally, the McCabe surname can also be traced to the Gaelic Mac Aodha ("son of Aodh" or "son of Hugh") as the McCabe surname was sometimes adopted as a substitute by members of the Magee family.
However, it is important to note that historical records for individual families may contain different versions of the surname due to various factors including the individual record keeper's interpretation, hence each variant may have independent origins and history.
Famous people with the name McCabe
- Michael McCabe, former NBA player
- Ryan McCabe, former American football player
- Ruth McCabe, Irish actress
- John McCabe, English classical composer
- Ann McCabe, American film director and producer
- Pat McCabe, Australian rugby union player
- Tim McCabe, US Navy admiral
- Jim McCabe, British cricketer
- Emmett J. McCabe, American lawyer
- Seán McCabe, Irish politician
- Bob McCabe, Welsh football coach
- Martin McCabe, Scottish footballer
- Harry McCabe, Australian public servant
- John McCabe, British historian
- Amy McCabe, American soap opera actress
- Ansley McCabe, professional surfer
- Jack McCabe, Scottish footballer
- Mary McCabe, American politician
- Casey McCabe, New Zealand basketball player
- Mike McCabe, American politician