Contents [hide]

Magee History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Magee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland
England

Etymology of Magee

What does the name Magee mean?

The ancestors of the Magee family lived among the Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. Their name is derived from the Gaelic name Aodh, meaning Hugh, and the word mac, meaning son of. 1

Early Origins of the Magee family

The surname Magee was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area.

The first on record was Gilmighel Mac Ethe of Dumfries who rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296. "In the following year, as Gille Michel MacGethe, he was thanked by Edward I for putting down evildoers and for other services. Neel McEthe, Gillecryst McEthe, Hoen McEthe, Cuthbert his brother, and all of the lineage of Clenafren, made submission to Edward I in 1298. Michael Macgethe was juror on an inquisition in Annandale, 1304." 2

Early History of the Magee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Magee research. Another 311 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1331, 1339, 1424, 1426, 1444, 1463, 1471, 1473, 1480, 1500, 1506, 1527, 1570, 1574, 1595, 1611, 1673, 1682 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Magee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Magee Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Magee has appeared as MacGee, MacGhie, MacGhee, Magee and others.

Early Notables of the Magee family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

William M'Gye of Balmage and Slogarrie (1471-1527); Nicholas M'Ghie of Balmagee and Torris (b.1527); William Makgee (d. 1570); and Alexander MakGee (1570-1611.)

Magee Ranking

In the United States, the name Magee is the 1,097^th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 3 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Magee is ranked the 944^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,359 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Magee family to Ireland

Some of the Magee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Magee migration to the United States +

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Magee Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Magee, who landed in Virginia in 1642 5
Edmond Magee, who arrived in Maryland in 1674 5

Magee Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Danl Magee, who landed in Virginia in 1702 5
Margtt Magee, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 5
Daniel Magee, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 5
Eleanor Magee, who arrived in Boston in 1763
James Magee, who was also in Boston in 1768
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Magee Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Patrick Magee, who landed in America in 1802 5
Bgt Magee, who arrived in America in 1805 5
Bridget Magee, aged 28, who landed in New York, NY in 1805 5
Charles Magee, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1806 5
Hugh Magee, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Magee migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Magee Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Robert Magee, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
William Magee, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Henry Magee, his wife, and his son John, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1783
Mr. Henry Magee U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 6

Magee Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

George Magee, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Michael Magee, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
Peter Magee, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
Mary Magee, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
Patrick Magee, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Cupid" in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Magee migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Magee Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. David Magee, English ploughman who was convicted in Cumbria (Cumberland), England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
Mr. Thomas Magee, (b. 1813), aged 18, Irish servant who was convicted in Longford, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Bussorah Merchant" on 16th August 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. John Magee, (b. 1806), aged 34, Irish soldier born in Donegal who was convicted in Woolwich, London, England for 14 years for desertion from the Army, transported aboard the "Eden" on 8th July 1840, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Neil Magee, (b. 1827), aged 17, Irish labourer who was convicted in Donegal, Ireland for 10 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Cadet" on 9th April 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Bridget Magee, aged 29, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Nashwauk" 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Magee migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Magee Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Magee, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1843
John Magee, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ann Wilson" in 1857
Mr. John Magee, (b. 1840), aged 21, Irish farm labourer from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Victoria" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 30th March 1862 12
Mr. Thomas Magee, (b. 1844), aged 17, Irish farm labourer from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Victoria" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 30th March 1862 12
Edward Magee, aged 26, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Magee (post 1700) +

Calvin Magee (1963-2022), American professional football player and college football coach who played tight end for four seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1985 to 1988
William D. "Bill" Magee (1939-2020), American politician, Democratic member of the New York State Assembly (1991-2018)
William Anderson Magee (1873-1938), American politician, Mayor of Pittsburgh (1909–1914) and (1922-1926)
Benjamin Rush "Rusty" Magee (1955-2003), American comedian, actor and composer/lyricist for theatre, television, film and commercials
John Wesley Magee (1923-1991), American NFL football guard for the Philadelphia Eagles
John W. Magee (b. 1859), American second class fireman serving in the United States Navy, recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery for his actions aboard the sinking U.S.S. Tallapoosa
Captain Christopher Lyman Magee (1917-1995), United States Marine Corps fighter ace aviator with the famous "Black Sheep" squadron, VMF-214, recipient of the Navy Cross
Major-General James Carre Magee (1883-1975), American Surgeon-General of the Army (1939-1943) 13
Sylvester Magee (1841-1971), American who is thought to have been the last living slave in America
Kevin Magee (1959-2003), American basketball player
... (Another 17 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Magee family +

North Sea Flood

Margaret Magee, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

USS Arizona

Mr. Gerald James Magee, American Storekeeper Third Class from New York, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 14

Victoria steamboat disaster

Harvey Magee, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

Sources +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bussorah-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cadet/
South Australian Register Monday 14th May 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Nashwauk 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/europa1855.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, April 11) James Magee. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Magee/James_Carre/USA.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html