Surname MacCosh - Meaning and Origin
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MacCosh: What does the surname MacCosh mean?
The last name MacCosh is an anglicization of the Irish Gaelic name MacCosc. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Cosc or Crosg, which is a diminutive of the word “cross”.
The name is most common in Ireland, primarily in County Donegal. It is sometimes abbreviated as “MacC.” The MacCosh clan is thought to have its roots in the ancient kingdom of Ulaid, which was located in modern-day northeastern Ireland.
The meaning of the name is unknown, but some believe it could mean either “son of the cross” or “son of Cosc,” both of which reference an ancestor with a religious or spiritual significance.
The MacCosh family is believed to have arrived in Ulster during the great migration in the 1600s. The family is thought to have come from Scotland, as many clans did at the time, and initially settled in the County Donegal area.
The MacCosh family is believed to have gone on to be very successful during the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the family members held prominent positions in business, politics, and the military.
Today, the name MacCosh remains popular in the Republic of Ireland and across the United Kingdom. It is even found in some parts of the United States. It is a proud family name that stands as a testament to a long and rich heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCosh: Where does the name MacCosh come from?
Today, the MacCosh surname is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland. The name can also be found in Canada, Australia, the United States, and elsewhere.
In Scotland, the MacCosh surname is particularly associated with Perthshire and Ayrshire. It also exists in many minor spellings, such as McCosk, McCosh, MacCoshie, and others. The surname is quite rare overall.
In Ireland, the MacCosh surname is most prevalent in the northern provinces of Ulster and Donegal. The name likely originated in Scotland during the Plantation of Ulster during the 17th century, when many Scots settlers moved to the area.
In Canada, the MacCosh surname is relatively common and is found most commonly in Ontario, though some families also live in other provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia.
In Australia, the MacCosh surname is found in several parts of the country, such as the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia.
In the United States, the MacCosh surname is uncommon compared to other parts of the world. It is most commonly found in the states of New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, though some families can be found in other parts of the country, such as California and Wisconsin.
Overall, the MacCosh surname is relatively uncommon but is still found today in many corners of the globe. It is most prominent in Scotland, Ireland, and Canada, though some families can be found in Australia and the United States.
Variations of the surname MacCosh
The MacCosh is a variant of the Irish surname MacCuish, which originated in Scotland as a surname of the Clan MacLaren. The MacCuish surname is Gaelic in origin, and its literal meaning is "son of Cush or Koish", with Cush being an ancient Irish first name. The spelling variations of MacCuish include MacCosh, MacCuish, MacCoshie, McCuish, McCosh, McCoshie.
The surname MacCosh is also related to the Irish surname of the same origin as the MacCuish, MacLaren, and it is derived from the Scottish Gaelic “MacGilleilin”, meaning “son of Giollie”. The variants of this surname include McCosh, MacLaren, MacCosh, McCoshie, McCuish, Laren, McCosker, and McLaren.
Some of the other related surnames of Irish origin include MacKosker, McCosh, MacShaw, MacLown, MacFaddish, MacFlemming, MacFeeney, MacCoglan, and MacCormack, to name a few.
The MacCosh surname is widespread throughout Scotland and Ireland, and is still commonly used today. It can be found in various forms, including all of the aforementioned variants. As with other surnames, this one has many different spellings, with some being used more commonly than others. Therefore, it is possible to find families with different spelling variations of the same surname living in the same area.
Famous people with the name MacCosh
- Andrew MacCosh: Canadian actor/musician best known for his role as William Harcourt-Mason on the CBC drama Street Legal.
- Edward MacCosh: British neurologist and professor of Neurology at the University of Toronto.
- Darragh MacCosh: Scottish rugby union player who was a part of Scotland's Under-20s Grand Slam winning team in 2005.
- Kenneth MacCosh: Eastern Canadian sports broadcaster, author and the host of Hockey Night in Canada.
- Peter MacCosh: Australian rules football player for the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
- Lachlan MacCosh: Scottish surgeon and mentor to the Scottish King Robert the Bruce.
- Fraser MacCosh: New Zealand rugby union player who played for both the Crusaders and Munster.
- Tony MacCosh: US soccer player who was part of the Pittsburgh Spirit of the Major Indoor Soccer League and the Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League.
- Kenneth MacCosh: British theoretical physicist and mathematician who made pioneering contributions in the areas of particle physics, nuclear engineering, and probability theory.
- Alan MacCosh: Canadian actor and philanthropist who has appeared in films including John Woo's Mission: Impossible II and television series such as X-Files.