Surname Cloughessy - Meaning and Origin
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Cloughessy: What does the surname Cloughessy mean?
The last name Cloughessy is an adaptation of the Irish surname MacLucas and meaning 'son of Lucas'. The name Lucas is derived from the Greek name Loukas. It is thought to have originally been a religious name since a Luke was a founder of a Christian Church in Antioch. Cloughessy likely became the adopted surname of a branch of the MacLucas family who settled in County Galway, Ireland in the late 14th century.
The Cloughessy's were known as an old Irish family of great influence, with many members making their mark in the military and religious spheres. In the Irish Army, many of the Cloughessy family were accredited Generals throughout the 1600s and 1700s. Further noteworthy Cloughessy's include Fr. John Cloughessy who was a famous priest and author, and Diarmaid M. Cloughessy MP, a prominent early 20th century politician.
The surname Cloughessy was once rare within Ireland, however the more recent use of it suggests the name has become more well known; likely due to the actions of its more prominent members in the generations before. It is derived from a religious and influential origin, and continues to be inspired by those within the Cloughessy family as they make their mark in their respective industries.
Order DNA origin analysisCloughessy: Where does the name Cloughessy come from?
The surname Cloughessy can be found today mainly in the United States and in Ireland. In the U.S., Cloughessy is most common in states such as Massachusetts, California, and New York. In Ireland, the surname appears most commonly in County Cork.
The origin of Cloughessy is unclear. Some sources suggest its Irish Gaelic origins coming from the phrase “Mac an ghuais” which translates as “son of the captive”. The phrase has its root in the Norman invasions of Ireland. Other sources claim it is of Norman origin and derived from the name “Claude” which was an Old French personal name, brought to the region by the Norman invaders.
The first recorded spelling of the Clan’s name was recorded in County Cork in 1635 when one Joan Cloughessy was christened in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Rosscarbery.
Cloughessy is not an extremely common name today. However, it does constitute a rather small family with a few shared family branches, and some members of the family still have links to Ireland.
The Cloughessy family can be traced back to the Mainland and nowadays, members of the same family branch are mostly found in the U.S., mainly in the States of Massachusetts, New York, and California.
The Cloughessy Clan also appears in some books, such as 'The Irish Clans and Their Septs” by MacLysaght, which trace their origin all the way back to Cork.
Variations of the surname Cloughessy
The Cloughessy surname has many variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. Common variants and spellings for the Cloughessy surname include Cloughessy, Clughessy, Clughessie, Clughessy, Clugheesey, Cloghessy, and Cleughessy.
Surnames of the same origin include Cleughesey, Cleughsey, and Clougeesy. Other variants and spelling variations can also be seen in this surname, such as Clan Cheesy, Clan Ghesshey, Clan Kissy, Clan Keshey, Cloncheesy, Clonchy, Cloncheis, and Clonchessy.
The Irish version of the family name is MacLugdach, although other variants of this surname have evolved in other parts of the world. In Scotland, the surname is spelled as Clougey.
It is likely that the root of the Cloughessy surname comes from the Gaelic word "Mac Lochlannach," which translates to "son of Lochlannach." This is the name of a Viking king who invaded Ireland in the eighth century.
In addition, the Cloughessy surname can also be found as McCarthy in Scotland and other parts of the British Isles. The modern versions of the surname are found in many parts of the world, though they are particularly prominent in Ireland and in the US.
The Cloughessy surname is an ancient Gaelic-Norse name, and those who are descendants of the Cloughessy family are proud of their ancestral roots. It is likely that many of the variants and surnames from the same origin are descended from this ancient Scottish-Irish clan.
Famous people with the name Cloughessy
- Eric Cloughessy: Film director who is best known for directing films such as Twilight and Panic Room.
- Brian Cloughessy: Emmy-winning cinematographer who has worked on television shows such as Sex and the City and The Wire.
- Bill Cloughessy: Retired professional baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Mark Cloughessy: Writer and producer for film and television, he was responsible for writing the films Death at a Funeral and Big Momma's House 2.
- Sarah Cloughessy: Actress known for her roles in the Harry Potter franchise and the British series Being Human.
- Paul Cloughessy: Former professional boxer who competed in several British and Irish title fights during his career.
- Richard Cloughessy: Irish rugby union player who plays for Munster and Ireland.
- Dan Cloughessy: Irish footballer who currently plays for the League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City.
- Angela Cloughessy: Irish actress who has appeared in films such as Angela's Ashes and The Magdalene Sisters.
- Michael Cloughessy: Professional golfer who has competed on the European Tour and the PGA Tour.