This surname may be extinct
McGimpsay Surname Definition:
MACGIMPSY: Irish MacDhiomasaigh, 'son of Diomasach,' from diomaach, proud. Gilbert Makgympseis was concerned in the slaughter of Donald McEwin in the Cors of Belmaclellane in 1529 (RSS., II, 128). Thomas M'Gympsy was witness at Bordland of Laik, Kirkcudbright, in 1552 (Laing, 598).
Read More About This SurnameMcGimpsay Surname Distribution Map
| Place | Incidence | Frequency | Rank in Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 6 | 1:623,869 | 16,225 |
McGimpsay Surname Meaning
From Where Does The Surname Originate? meaning and history
MACGIMPSY: Irish MacDhiomasaigh, 'son of Diomasach,' from diomaach, proud. Gilbert Makgympseis was concerned in the slaughter of Donald McEwin in the Cors of Belmaclellane in 1529 (RSS., II, 128). Thomas M'Gympsy was witness at Bordland of Laik, Kirkcudbright, in 1552 (Laing, 598). Alexander McGymphee (probably a mis copying) and John MacGymphee were residents in the parish of Borgue, 1684 (RPC., 3. ser. IX, p. 567) McGimsie, McJampse, MaJamsie 1684, McGympsier 1701, M'Gympsor a. 1700.
The interesting thing about this name, the Irish form of which Woulfe gives as Mac Dhiomsaigh (derived from diomasach: proud), is the fact that it belongs almost exclusively to a small area in Co.
Down around Newtownards. In 1865 there were 13 births registered for it and in 1866 there were 10: everyone of these 23 were in that registration district. In 1890, when there were 8 births registered, 7 of these were in Co. Down and one in Antrim. MacJimpsey occurs occasionally as a variant spelling.
A man called MacGimpsey (his christian name is forgotten) was one of the heroes of the defence of Derry in 1689: he lost his life in a brave attempt to convey a message from the garrison by swimming the Foyle.
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Footnotes
- Surnames are taken as the first part of an person's inherited family name, caste, clan name or in some cases patronymic
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- Similar: Names listed in the "Similar" section are phonetically similar and may not have any relation to McGimpsay
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