Surname MacAshinagh - Meaning and Origin
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MacAshinagh: What does the surname MacAshinagh mean?
The surname MacAshinagh is derived from the Scots Gaelic meaning "son of the ash tree grove". The name is believed to have originated from the island of Islay in Scotland, where ash trees have historically been indigenous. The word 'mac' meaning son of, is believed to have been added to the root of the name which is thought to have been a place name or a descriptive term meaning 'ash tree grove'.
As a surname, the name is usually linked to the clans which were first found in Scotland and northern England. The name may also have been adapted by settlers from Ireland who moved to Scotland during the Middle Ages.
The name often features in local records from the 16th and 17th century as well as documents linked to trade agreements and various agreements in Scotland and Ireland. The MacAshinagh surname was also common along the north-western coast of Argyll, in the early 19th century.
It is believed that the MacAshinagh surname has now extended across the world as people have settled in different regions and countries. The name is now common in many parts of the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
To sum up, the surname MacAshinagh has an ancient origin and likely hails from Scotland or Ireland. It is believed to have originated from a place name referring to an ash tree grove and it has been in common usage for centuries. The name is now common across many parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAshinagh: Where does the name MacAshinagh come from?
The last name MacAshinagh is an Irish surname that's still quite common today, though it's mainly associated with certain parts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The MacAshinaghs, or "Mac Ashinagh" as it is also sometimes spelled, are believed to be a branch of the ancient Irish Clan Na Deise. The surname is primarily found in Northern Ireland in counties such as Antrim, Down, and Londonderry. As for the Republic of Ireland, the name is most commonly found in the south-east, near County Waterford and County Wexford.
The surname is derived from the Gaelic term "Mac Aighneach," which translates roughly to "son of the noble one." It has also been suggested that the name is rooted in ancient Viking ancestry as many MacAshinaghs trace their roots back to Scandinavian invaders.
The MacAshinaghs are primarily a lineage of Gaelic speaking people who maintained their strong cultural identity and maintained their Irish Gaelic language, which is seen as quite a feat considering the turbulent history of Ireland.
Today, the MacAshinaghs are spread all across the world, with concentrations of the surname in Ireland and in the UK. The name is also seen among the Irish Diaspora in places such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname MacAshinagh
The surname MacAshinagh is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac Eisigh, which translates to mean ‘descendant of Eisigh’. The prefix ‘Mac’ identifies that the surname is a patronymic, referring to a person's father or ancestor. There are a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for this name.
Variants and spellings of MacAshinagh include MacEisin, MacEishan, MacEishin, MacEyshin, MacEyshan, MacEysin, MacEisingh, and MacEshin. These spelling and stylistic variations were often used interchangeably in the past.
The earliest known recorded individual with the MacAshinagh surname is Teige “Mac Eissin”, who was appointed seneschal for the Earl of Clanricarde in 1570. His descendants are found throughout the east of Galway and rural areas of County Mayo. Other families with the surname who are, or have been found in these regions include MacAshin, MacEishin, MacEisin, MacEishane, and McEishon.
The MacAshinagh surname is also sometimes confused with the similar-sounding but unrelated name Macasheshagh.
In addition to the variants and spellings of MacAshinagh listed, there are a number of other surnames derived from the same Gaelic root which serve to mark branches of the MacEisigh clan. These include MacGisigh, MacVisigh, and MacRisigh. As with MacAshinagh, each of these surnames have regional variations and spellings.
Famous people with the name MacAshinagh
- Pierce MacAshinagh: Irish actor, director, and producer
- Turlough O'Carolan MacAshinagh: Irish physician, Rebel leader, and author
- Franc MacAshinagh: Irish-American poet, playwright, and political activist
- Michael MacAshinagh: Canadian musician, songwriter, and television personality
- Stephen MacAshinagh: Irish politician, union leader, and public speaker
- Ralph MacAshinagh: English-American actor, director, and producer
- Tiernan MacAshinagh: Irish president of the Gaelic League
- Kieran MacAshinagh: Irish actor, playwright, and theater director
- Fergus MacAshinagh: Canadian folk singer, artist, and professor
- Aodhán MacAshinagh: Irish actor, singer, and painter