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Variants McGeough, McGeogh,
McGoff. Meaning 'red haired person'. This was the nickname for
a red haired person in Wales, showing the mutation of the initial
consonant that occurs when the adjetive is used attributively
with a proper name. This name is of Celtic origin and is popular
throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is found
in many mediaeval manuscripts in the above islands. Examples
of such are a Robert Gogh, who was recorded in the ancient book
'Kirby's Quest', in the reign of Edward III. The surname is common
in East Anglia, were it was originally of Breton origin, introduced
by followers of William the Conqueror. In Ireland two septs have
been anglicized Gough they being O Cuachain of the Hy Fiachrach
located in Mayo the other is Mag Eothach which is a branch of
the McKeoghs. The variants McGeogh and McGoff are also taken
from the McKeogh sept, and are principally found in counties
Armagh, Monaghan and Louth. |
