McGhee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

History reveals the roots of the McGhee family name in the ancient Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The McGhee name is derived from the Gaelic name Aodh, meaning Hugh, and the word mac, meaning son of. 1

Early Origins of the McGhee family

The surname McGhee was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area.

The first on record was Gilmighel Mac Ethe of Dumfries who rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296. “In the following year, as Gille Michel MacGethe, he was thanked by Edward I for putting down evildoers and for other services. Neel McEthe, Gillecryst McEthe, Hoen McEthe, Cuthbert his brother, and all of the lineage of Clenafren, made submission to Edward I in 1298. Michael Macgethe was juror on an inquisition in Annandale, 1304.” 2