MacAodha

MacAodha is a Gaelic surname derived from the personal name Aodh, the Irish form of Hugh. The prefix Mac- denotes “son of,” so MacAodha literally means “son of Aodh.” The given name Aodh was widely used in medieval Ireland and is commonly linked to the word for fire, giving the name associations with vitality and ardor.

Historically, MacAodha appears in Gaelic-language records across Ireland and is associated with families in areas that preserved Gaelic culture and language. In the modern era, bearers of the name are found in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora in the United Kingdom, North America, Canada, and Australia, reflecting historical migration and settlement patterns.

Spelling variants and anglicizations include MacAodha, McAodha, and McAdoo. In some records, the root given name may appear in older Gaelic forms such as Aoidh or Aodh, illustrating the same underlying origin. The name is typically encountered as a surname rather than a given name in contemporary use, but it remains part of Ireland’s broader tradition of patronymic naming.