McAbee
An anglicized Irish surname, often treated as a variant of MacVeagh/MacVeigh, itself from a Gaelic patronymic.
The #8,196 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 76,252 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The name is usually linked to Irish Gaelic Mac an Bhéith, or a closely related Gaelic form, meaning "son of Béith" or a similar personal name. In later English spelling, this family name was rendered in many forms, including MacAbee, MacVeagh, MacVeigh, and related variants. The exact original personal name behind the surname is not fully secure, so the meaning is best taken as a traditional interpretation rather than a certainty.
History
This surname appears in the web of Ulster-Irish names that were heavily reshaped into English spellings over time, especially in North America. Forms like McAbee, MacAbee, and MacVeigh/Veagh reflect the same broad surname cluster rather than clearly separate origins. In the United States, McAbee is now established as a distinct spelling, even where the older Gaelic link is no longer obvious.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The old spelling families around McAbee were so fluid that one historical source lists it alongside MacVeagh, MacVey, and even Vesey-type forms in the same cluster.
From the historical record
“ITlAC An lieACA, tllAC An li)eACAT), MacAbee, Maclveagh, Mac Aveigh, MacAvey; MacAvoy, MacEvoy, MacVoy ; Mac Veagh, MacVeigh, MacVey, MacVay, MacVea, Vahy , Veigh; Veasy, Vesey, etc.”
— Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish names and surnames