McCorvey is a family name of Anglo‑Celtic origin. It is most commonly encountered as a surname in the United States and other English‑speaking countries. The name is believed to be a variant of the Scottish or Irish patronymic “Mac Corvey,” meaning “son of Corvey,” though the precise etymology is not definitively documented.
Notable individuals with the surname include:
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Norma McCorvey (1947–2017) – An American who was the plaintiff known as “Jane Roe” in the landmark 1973 United States Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which recognized a constitutional right to abortion. After the case, McCorvey became a public figure and later an outspoken anti‑abortion activist.
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David C. McCorvey – An American academic and former university administrator, noted for his work in higher‑education leadership and institutional development.
The surname appears in genealogical records and has been borne by various lesser‑known individuals in fields such as athletics, business, and the arts, though no additional persons have attained widespread public prominence comparable to Norma McCorvey.
