Surname MacCoonan - Meaning and Origin

MacCoonan: What does the surname MacCoonan mean?

The last name MacCoonan is a derivative of the surname MacConnan which originated in Ireland. MacConnan was derived from an ancient Gaelic surname MacCaba meaning ‘son of a hound’. The MacCabas were a respected sept or group of people from the Connacht Province in Ireland. MacCoonan became established in the county of Leitrim, where variants such as MacCoon and MacCoonan are still common.

The most common spelling of MacCoonan today is Mac Connacht, but it has also been spelled as Mac Connon, MacCoohan and MacCoonan. These variations are thought to have originated from the use of Gaelic C and K, which have similar sounds. Many variations of this surname arose as spelling was not as standardized in the past.

The MacCoonan name is still prevalent in Ireland and among those of Irish descent. It may sometimes be shortened to Con(n)an or Coonan, and the prefix ‘Mac’ may be replaced with the Irish prefix ‘O’.

MacCoonan is a proud Irish name that is steeped in Irish history. It has endured through the centuries and is a reminder of the long history of the Irish people.

MacCoonan: Where does the name MacCoonan come from?

The last name MacCoonan is most common in Irish culture. It is believed to be an Anglicization of the Gaelic Irish name Mac Con Fhiginn (meaning "son of the young hound"). Many MacCoonan families immigrated to the United States during the 19th century alongside the wave of Irish immigration and their name was changed to McCunn or McCoon.

Today, the last name MacCoonan is found in the Irish-American community across the United States. It is especially prominent in counties that have historically attracted a large number of Irish immigrants, such as Long Island, New York; Chester County, Pennsylvania; Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; and Allegheny County, New York. It is also common in Irish immigrant enclaves located in Midwest cities such as Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; and Milwaukee, WI.

The last name MacCoonan is not limited to the United States. It can be found across the United Kingdom and in Ireland, where it is present in much larger numbers. It is also present in various locations throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

All in all, the last name MacCoonan has a solid presence in countries throughout the world. This is due to its mostly Irish roots and the tremendous impact Irish immigrants have made over the years in their new countries of residence.

Variations of the surname MacCoonan

MacCoonan is an Irish surname of ancient origin that is most commonly seen in the Irish counties of Leitrim and Mayo in the province of Connacht. The surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac Connacháin, which literally translates to "son of the wise leader," and has several alternate spellings and variants.

The most common variants are MacCoonan and MacCoonen, both of which are standard Anglicized spellings of the original Gaelic name. The variants McConnahan and McConnaghan also occur, as do more Anglicized versions such as MacConyn, MakCoenan, and MakCoonan. It is also not uncommon to find the 'Mac' dropped from the beginning of the name, which results in surnames like Cohan, Cohanon, Cohenan, Cononan.

In addition to the above variants, the surname can also be seen with other similar surnames like MacOwenan, which is derived from the Gaelic Mac Eocháin, and MacKownen, which originates from the Gaelic Mac Cúmhain. These surname variations are less common but still may be encountered in families of Irish lineage.

Overall, MacCoonan is the standard spelling of the name, but variations are numerous and are often dependent on the specific family's location and spelling variations over time.

Famous people with the name MacCoonan

• John MacCoonan: an Irish singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who has been active in the Irish music scene since the 1980s.
• Mary MacCoonan: an Irish celebrity chef and television personality who has been featured on the BBC's Great British Menu and Celebrity MasterChef.
• Kathleen MacCoonan: a nurse and healthcare campaigner, known for her advocacy of palliative care for terminally ill patients.
• Bob MacCoonan: United States Navy admiral and former commander of the United States Seventh Fleet.
• Charles MacCoonan: a 19th-century American politician who served as a Whig Member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s 13th congressional district.
• Peter MacCoonan: a Scottish-born theologian, scholar, and member of the Church of England clergy, best known for his roles as Archdeacon of Elgin and Bishop of Brechin in the late 19th century.
• Doris MacCoonan: an American photographer and philanthropist who acquired a prestigious collection of photographs in the early 1900s.
• Sean MacCoonan: an Emmy Award-winning producer and director, as well as an author and internet entrepreneur. He is the CEO of MacCoonan Productions Inc., which produced the television series The O.C.
• Alfred MacCoonan: a prominent Australian trade unionist, political activist, and high-ranking public servant associated with the Australian Labor Party.
• Robert MacCoonan: an American Broadway producer, director, and actor, well known for his work in the 1960s musical Skyscraper.

Other surnames

MacCoonMacCoone