McHugh Surname Meaning & Origin
What the McHugh last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the McHugh last name
Meaning of the McHugh last name: son of Aodh ("fire"). McHugh is an anglicized form of Mac Aodha, "son of Aodh", a personal name meaning "fire". Aodh was among the most popular early Irish names, and families of this surname arose separately in several areas, notably in Fermanagh, Leitrim and north Galway, where the MacHughs held land near Tuam. The name is strongest today in Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Galway, while McCue is a phonetic form found in Ulster and Scotland. The Galway family belonged to the same stock as the O'Flahertys and held lands in the barony of Clare. In some areas the name was also anglicized as Hughes or Hewson. Many McHughs emigrated to England, Scotland and the United States in the 19th century.
Our historical archives hold much more on the McHugh name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the McHugh name in Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Scotland and England; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched McHugh pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized McHugh coat of arms.
McHugh name FAQ
What does the McHugh name mean?
Son of Aodh ("fire"). Common variants include MacHugh, McCue, Hughes.
Where does the McHugh surname come from?
It originates in Ireland, and is also found in the United States, Scotland and England.
Is there a McHugh coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single McHugh crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized McHugh coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.