McCabe (surname)
Encyclopedia
The surnames McCabe and MacCabe are Irish and Scottish surnames. They are Anglicisation
s of the Gaelic Mac Cába, a patronymic
name meaning "son of Cába". The nickname
or personal name
Cába is of uncertain origin. The surname can be written in modern Scottish Gaelic as MacCàba and MacCaibe. Patrick Woulfe considered that the surname was possibly derived from a nickname, meaning "a cap", or "hood". Henry Harrison suggested the name was from the Gaelic Mac Aba, meaning "son of the Abbot
". If Harrison is to be believed then the surname would have a similar etymology as the surnames MacNab, McNab, which are from the Gaelic Mac an Aba, Mac an Abadh.
Bearers of the surname are considered to have settled in Ireland from the Western Isles of Scotland sometime around 1350, employed as gallowglass
(mercenary soldiers) to the O'Reillys and O'Rourkes which were the principal septs of Breffny. According a pedigree written by Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
, the MacCabes descend from the MacLeods
. In time the MacCabes became a recognised Irish sept
, with the chieftain being called "Constable of the two Breffnys". According to MacLysaght
in the mid 20th century, statistics then showed that the surname was more numerous in the Breffny area than anywhere else. MacCabe landowners are however more associated with Co Monaghan and Co Cavan; however the principal families of the name lost all their estates after the Battle of Aughrim
in 1691.
According to a genealogy which purports to date from the 17th century, Alexander MacCabe (fl.
1689) was a descendant of the last chieftains of the MacCabes. Within the genealogy his arms (pictured right) are blazoned vert
a fesse wavy between three salmons naiant argent
; crest a demi-griffon segreant; motto aut vincere aut mori.
In the 1990 United States Census the surname McCabe was ranked 1,200th most common surname, and MacCabe was ranked 43,031th. For the 2000 United States Census neither surname ranked among the top 1,000 most common surnames.
Anglicisation
Anglicisation, or anglicization , is the process of converting verbal or written elements of any other language into a form that is more comprehensible to an English speaker, or, more generally, of altering something such that it becomes English in form or character.The term most often refers to...
s of the Gaelic Mac Cába, a patronymic
Patronymic
A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.In many areas patronyms...
name meaning "son of Cába". The nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
or personal name
Personal name
A personal name is the proper name identifying an individual person, and today usually comprises a given name bestowed at birth or at a young age plus a surname. It is nearly universal for a human to have a name; except in rare cases, for example feral children growing up in isolation, or infants...
Cába is of uncertain origin. The surname can be written in modern Scottish Gaelic as MacCàba and MacCaibe. Patrick Woulfe considered that the surname was possibly derived from a nickname, meaning "a cap", or "hood". Henry Harrison suggested the name was from the Gaelic Mac Aba, meaning "son of the Abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
". If Harrison is to be believed then the surname would have a similar etymology as the surnames MacNab, McNab, which are from the Gaelic Mac an Aba, Mac an Abadh.
Bearers of the surname are considered to have settled in Ireland from the Western Isles of Scotland sometime around 1350, employed as gallowglass
Gallowglass
The gallowglass or galloglass – from , gallóglach – were an elite class of mercenary warrior who came from Norse-Gaelic clans in the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland between the mid 13th century and late 16th century...
(mercenary soldiers) to the O'Reillys and O'Rourkes which were the principal septs of Breffny. According a pedigree written by Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, also known as Dubhaltach Óg mac Giolla Íosa Mór mac Dubhaltach Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh, Duald Mac Firbis, Dudly Ferbisie, and Dualdus Firbissius was an Irish scribe, translator, historian and genealogist...
, the MacCabes descend from the MacLeods
Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod is a Highland Scottish clan associated with the Isle of Skye. There are two main branches of the clan: the Macleods of Harris and Dunvegan, whose chief is Macleod of Macleod, are known in Gaelic as Sìol Tormoid ; the Macleods of Lewis, whose chief is Macleod of The Lewes, are known in...
. In time the MacCabes became a recognised Irish sept
Sept (social)
A sept is an English word for a division of a family, especially a division of a clan. The word might have its origin from Latin saeptum "enclosure, fold", or it can be an alteration of sect.The term is found in both Ireland and Scotland...
, with the chieftain being called "Constable of the two Breffnys". According to MacLysaght
Edward MacLysaght
Edward MacLysaght was one of the foremost genealogists of twentieth century Ireland. His numerous books on Irish surnames built upon the work of Patrick Woulfe's Irish Names and Surnames and made him well known to all those researching their family past.-Early life:Edward was born in Flax Bourton...
in the mid 20th century, statistics then showed that the surname was more numerous in the Breffny area than anywhere else. MacCabe landowners are however more associated with Co Monaghan and Co Cavan; however the principal families of the name lost all their estates after the Battle of Aughrim
Battle of Aughrim
The Battle of Aughrim was the decisive battle of the Williamite War in Ireland. It was fought between the Jacobites and the forces of William III on 12 July 1691 , near the village of Aughrim in County Galway....
in 1691.
According to a genealogy which purports to date from the 17th century, Alexander MacCabe (fl.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1689) was a descendant of the last chieftains of the MacCabes. Within the genealogy his arms (pictured right) are blazoned vert
Vert
The colour green is commonly found in modern flags and coat of arms, and to a lesser extent also in the classical heraldry of the Late Middle Ages and the Early Modern period....
a fesse wavy between three salmons naiant argent
Argent
In heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it...
; crest a demi-griffon segreant; motto aut vincere aut mori.
In the 1990 United States Census the surname McCabe was ranked 1,200th most common surname, and MacCabe was ranked 43,031th. For the 2000 United States Census neither surname ranked among the top 1,000 most common surnames.
List of persons with the surname McCabe
- Bill McCabe (1892–1966), American professional baseball player.
- Bryan McCabeBryan McCabeBryan McCabe is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is a free agent.McCabe moved to Calgary, Alberta at a young age and spent the majority of his minor hockey career playing in the Calgary area....
(1975– ), Canadian professional hockey player - Charles Caldwell McCabeCharles Caldwell McCabeCharles Caldwell McCabe , also known as "Bishop" C. C. McCabe and Chaplain C. C...
, American Methodist minister, Bishop, Civil War Chaplain, singer and nationally known religious humorist - Colleen McCabeColleen McCabeColleen McCabe is a British fraudster who spent £500,000 on herself from the budget of the school where she was the headteacher.- Early years :...
(1952– ), British fraudster, former headteacher - Dave McCabe, English vocalist and musician
- Edward McCabe (disambiguation), several people
- Gerard McCabeGerard McCabeGerard McCabe is a Northern Irish actor. He was an original member of The Company Youth Theatre and one of the earliest members of the Rainbow Factory, School of the Performing Arts.He has two daughters, Caitlin and Ella.-Career:...
(1980– ), Northern Irish actor - Herbert McCabeHerbert McCabeHerbert McCabe was an English Dominican priest, theologian and philosopher, who was born in Middlesbrough in the North Riding of Yorkshire. After studying chemistry and philosophy at Manchester University, he joined the Dominicans in 1949, where under Victor White he began his life-long study of...
(1926–2001), Roman Catholic priest - John McCabe (disambiguation), several people
- Joseph McCabe (disambiguation)Joseph McCabe (disambiguation)*Joseph McCabe, , English, writer and speaker on the subject of rationalism and atheismJoseph McCabe may also refer to:*Joe McCabe , American baseball player...
, several people - Kevin McCabe (disambiguation), several people
- Milo McCabeMilo McCabeMilo McCabe is a British television presenter and Stand-up character comedian.-Early Life:McCabe was born in Kingston upon Thames to Mike McCabe...
, British television presenter and comedian - Nick McCabeNick McCabeNick McCabe is a musician best known as the lead guitarist of The Verve.-Early life:Nick McCabe was the son of a bus driver and has two older brothers, Alan and Paul...
, (1971– ), English musician - Patrick McCabe (disambiguation), several people
- Paul McCabePaul McCabePaul McCabe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He played for several clubs as well as representing Queensland in the State of Origin. McCabe was also a member of the 1982 "Invincibles" Kangaroos side, playing in the third Test against Great Britain...
, Australian rugby league footballer - Seamus McCabeSeamus McCabeSeamus McCabe is an Irish football player currently playing for Rock Celtic F.C..Has won honours with his school including a Leinster League medal as well as North East league...
, Irish football player - Stan McCabeStan McCabeStanley Joseph McCabe was an Australian cricketer who played 39 Test matches for Australia from 1930 to 1938. A short, stocky right-hander,...
(1910–1968), Australian cricketer - Steve McCabe (disambiguation), several people
- Zia McCabeZia McCabeZia McCabe is a percussionist, bass guitarist, and keyboard player. She is a member of American alternative rock band The Dandy Warhols. She graduated from Battle Ground High School in Battle Ground, Washington in 1992. In 1995, with hardly any prior musical experience, Zia joined The Dandy Warhols...
(1975?– ), American musician.
List of persons with the surname MacCabe
- Colin MacCabeColin MacCabeColin MacCabe is a British writer and film producer. He is distinguished professor of English and film at the University of Pittsburgh, professor of English and humanities at Birkbeck, University of London, and a visiting professor at the University of Exeter....
, British writer and film producer - Edward MacCabe (1816–1885), Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin