Surname Mac Guinn - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Guinn: What does the surname Mac Guinn mean?
The last name Mac Guinn is a combination of two Gaelic linguistic vocabularies, Mac and Guinn.
Mac is derived from the Gaelic word ‘mac’, denoting either ‘son of’ or ‘man of’. In most cases, this was used to signify a sense of kinship or to simply demonstrate the progeny of a given ancestor. In some cases, it was also used to showcase or signify patronyms that were linked to a specific ancestor.
On the other hand, Guinn, is derived from the Gaelic term ‘oin’ or ‘guin’. This word was most commonly related to purity, with its literal translations signifying ‘white’ or ‘chaste’. It was used in many cases to signify clans that were of untainted descent, and who strove to remain pure within their reputation.
Combined, the last name Mac Guinn can be understood as ‘the son of purity’, suggesting a strong heritage and relatability to a particular, pure ancestor. In the Gaelic culture, this distinguished individuals from others with similar last names, creating an identity that emphasized piety generations ago, and still resonates with families today.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Guinn: Where does the name Mac Guinn come from?
The last name Mac Guinn is commonly found throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In Ireland, Mac Guinn is a variation of the traditional Irish surname, McGinn, which is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Giochainn;" "Mac" translating to son of, and "Giochainn" translating to well-born or noble. The name can be found mainly in the central and southern regions of the country.
In the United Kingdom, the surname is often found in Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is a part of the Mac Guinne family, a Scottish clan that originated in Angus and Fife in the early 1500s.
In the United States, Mac Guinn is often found in Pennsylvania, where many Irish immigrants settled in the late 1700s. It is most common among Americans of Irish descent, although it has been found in some other ethnic groups, as well.
Overall, Mac Guinn is a relatively uncommon surname, but it is still found today in many parts of the world. It is most associated with Irish, Scottish, and northern English peoples, suggesting a shared ancestry. Those with Mac Guinn as their last name are likely to be able to trace their roots back to the British Isles.
Variations of the surname Mac Guinn
The surname Mac Guinn is derived from a combination of two Gaelic words, mac (meaning son) and guinn (meaning fair or white). It is most commonly found in Scotland, and families bearing the name regularly appear in Irish records. The variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Mac Guinn are MacGwin, MacGwinn, MacGwinn, McGuin, McGuinn, MacGwinne, MacGwing and McGwinn.
Mac appears in many Irish and Scottish surnames and has been used for centuries to denote a family connected to a particular location or clan. This is a common and recognizable element in many names. For example, the name MacLean means "son of Leod" while MacNeil means "son of Niall".
The surname ‘Guinn’ is derived from the Gaelic word 'gainne', which means 'white'. Thus in its literal form, the name Mac Guinn means "son of the fair one" and is probably derived from an ancestor with a fair complexion.
The variants of the surname Mac Guinn take on a variety of spellings, most of which reflect changes in the pronunciation of words due to local dialects and accents. These variants include MacGwin, MacGwinn, MacGwing, McGuin, McGuinn, MacGwinne, and McGwinn.
Some of the names with the same origin can also be found in other versions and spellings which are not connected to the name Mac Guinn. These include names such as McQuin, McQuinn, McQuinney, MacGwinn, MacGwynn, MacGwinge, McGwin, and McGuine.
Overall, the surname Mac Guinn has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, with many of the variations arising over time due to dialectal and traditional variants. It is an ancient Gaelic name which has survived for centuries in both Scotland and Ireland and continues to appear in records today.
Famous people with the name Mac Guinn
- Jim MacGuinn: cinematographer most renowned for his work on the film 'The Parent Trap'
- Percy MacGuinn: actor, best known for his roles on Broadway and in television series ‘The Golden Girls’
- Bill MacGuinn: famous Irish-American singer and songwriter of ‘Mister Tambourine Man’
- Ryan MacGuinn: guitarist and vocalist for the band Death Cab for Cutie, with whom he has toured the world
- Ian MacGuinn: Academy Award-winning director, most notably for the film ‘The Shawshank Redemption’
- Scott MacGuinn: alternative rock musician, lead singer and synthesizer player from the band MC 900 Ft Jesus
- Michael MacGuinn: renowned English actor who is best known for his roles in ‘The Krays’ and ‘Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels’
- Adam MacGuinn: award-winning American screenwriter and producer, most notably for his work on Academy Award-winning movies such as ‘Good Will Hunting’
- Rebecca MacGuinn: actress roughly starring in 'The Silence of the Lambs' and 'American Reunion'
- Terrance MacGuinn: American football player and NFL All-Pro offensive tackle, currently with the Chicago Bears