Surname MacCowen - Meaning and Origin
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MacCowen: What does the surname MacCowen mean?
The last name MacCowen is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Cuinnein. It is an anglicized version of the Gaelic Mac Cuinnein, and has its origins in the Irish phrase mac siúin, which means "son of a hound". The MacCowen surname is most commonly found in areas where the ancient Gaelic language was once spoken, including Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man.
The MacCowen family are believed to originate in the medieval province of Ulaid, which covered the modern-day counties of Antrim, Down, and parts of Londonderry. It is a widespread surname, still found in Ulster Ireland, Scotland and parts of England.
The name MacCowen is derived from the Gaelic language, as serves as a reminder of the hardy, proud culture and ancestry of the family. It reflects the importance of strong family ties, and is a marker of the proud heritage and resilience of the family through the centuries. It stands as a symbol of the unique and ancient culture of the family, which has been passed down through the generations.
In early times, the MacCowen family were likely associated with a profession or trade since occupational surnames are very common in Irish tradition. Although the exact profession is unknown, the MacCowen resepective would have been a well-known and respected name in any area where the family resided.
The MacCowen name is steeped in the history and culture of the Irish and Scottish people, and carries with it a sense of pride and identity. It is a reminder of the family’s rich and unique heritage, and an acknowledgement of the shared culture and history of the Irish and Scottish people.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCowen: Where does the name MacCowen come from?
The MacCowen surname is most prominently found today in the United Kingdom and Ireland, particularly in Scotland, where Clan MacCowen has traditionally hailed from. The Clan began in the early 1500s and spread to various parts of Scotland, and later, to Ireland and ultimately further afield. They are a sept of the Clan MacDougall, which is one of the oldest clans in Scotland.
The majority of people carrying the MacCowen name still lives in Scotland, especially in the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, due to emigration, many MacCowens have now spread to other countries around the world, particularly the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and France. People with the surname have also been known to inhabit places like the Netherlands and Brazil.
The MacCowen name can also be found in Northern Ireland, where due to the large Scottish population, the surname is especially common. In the last decade, the name has become commonplace in cities such as Belfast and Derry as well as in other communities.
Overall, the MacCowen name is most widely found in the United Kingdom and Ireland, though has spread further to various countries across the world due to emigration.
Variations of the surname MacCowen
MacCowen is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Eoghain. Variants of this surname include MacEwen, McEwen, McEwin, MacGowan, MacGowen, McGowan, and McGowen.
MacCowen is a patronymic surname, which means that the original bearer of the name was the son or descendant of a man named Eoghan or Ewen. Eoghan was the Gaelic form of the name Ewen, which is derived from the Welsh Eugein, an ancient personal name composed of the elements eugein, meaning 'ever good', and ein, meaning 'lord'. Consequently, the English surname Ewen was derived from this personal name.
MacCowen is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in Midlothian. It is also common in some parts of Ireland, especially in Connacht. It is less common in the rest of the British Isles, and occasionally in Canada and the United States.
As with most surnames, some MacCowen families changed their spelling and spelling variations of the name over the generations as they moved to different countries. For example, the spelling 'Mac Gowan' is most commonly found in Scotland, whereas in Ireland, surnames such as 'McGowen' and 'McGowan' are more common.
The vast majority of MacCowen families have remained loyal to their Irish roots, and thus their surname has remained mostly unchanged over time. Therefore, if you are looking for your MacCowen ancestors, your best bet is to search family tree records using the original spelling of the name.
Famous people with the name MacCowen
- David MacCowen: Australian politician, former Treasurer and Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2013: 2016)
- Margaret MacCowen: Actress, best known for her role in the television series "Dynasty" (1983)
- Agnes MacCowen: Nurse and founder of the Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky (1925: 1939)
- Alexander MacCowen: Actor, best known for his roles in the films "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986) and "The 39 Steps" (1935)
- John MacCowen: Hollywood actor and stuntman (1922: 2002)
- Katie MacCowen: British classical musician, former Principal Flute of the London Symphony Orchestra (2002: 2011)
- Nathan MacCowen: American football coach, former head coach for the University of Akron (2005: 2011)
- Sean MacCowen: Canadian actor and musician (1976: present)
- Michael MacCowen: Award-winning composer and conductor, former Music Director of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia (2002: 2017)
- Shirley MacCowen: American writer and illustrator, best known for her children's books (1925: 2016)