Surname MacEniff - Meaning and Origin

MacEniff: What does the surname MacEniff mean?

The last name MacEniff is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Coinnigh, which literally means "son of Conn". Conn is an old Irish given name which can be translated as "wise" or "chief". In ancient Ireland, the name MacEniff was associated with a strong, high-ranking clan of warriors and royalty.

The MacEniff surname can be found throughout the province of Ulster in Ireland today, especially in Counties Sligo, Roscommon, Longford, and Leitrim. It is believed to have originated in one of these counties prior to the 1600s.

In the 1700s and early 1800s, the name MacEniff was quite common in Ireland, but it began to decline by the mid 19th century as many people with the surname began to emigrate to the United States and Canada. Today, the surname is still found in pubs, restaurants, and other establishments that are traditionally associated with the Irish.

The dedication and courage of the infamous MacEniff clan throughout Irish history is something that still inspires people today. Loyal, strong, and brave, the name MacEniff is now a valuable part of Irish culture all over the world.

MacEniff: Where does the name MacEniff come from?

The surname MacEniff is of Irish origin, likely derived from the Gaelic Mac an Iomaire which translates to "son of the navigator." Today, the MacEniff surname is found in relatively high concentrations in Northern Ireland, especially in the counties of Derry, Donegal, Tyrone, and Fermanagh.

The last name is also fairly common among Irish-Americans, with the majority of MacEniffs in the United States originating from those four county areas of Northern Ireland. The most heavily populated states for the MacEniff surname are New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Industries associated with the MacEniff name are typically agriculture, manufacturing, and labor. Skilled trades such as mechanics, carpenters, plasterers, and laborers were common employment for MacEniffs in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As of the 2000 U.S. census, the most commonly held occupations among those with the MacEniff surname included managers, truck drivers, construction laborers, sales workers, and teachers.

The MacEniff surname is still quite common today, with many Irish-Americans bearing the name. It is a proud surname that is carried with honor throughout the Irish diaspora.

Variations of the surname MacEniff

The surname MacEniff has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations are common among Irish and Scottish families.

Variants

The original Irish version of the surname is Mac nEighfhear, which can be seen in written documents from the 17th century. It later changed to Macaniff, McHiniff, MacIniff, and MacEniff.

Spellings

The spelling of the surname has changed over time, with some of the most common variations being MacEniff, Mac Eneight, Macineigh, MacRiniff, and MacEnease.

Surnames of the same origin

Many surnames of the same origin derive from the MacEniff family, including Macaniffe, MacAnif, McEniff, and McEnif.

These variations are all connected to the MacEniff family, which is one of the great names of ancient Irish and Scottish history. In addition to MacEniff, other surnames descended from the MacEniff family include MacCuinn, MacCann, MacCon, MacKinney, MacKenzie, and MacKreight.

Famous people with the name MacEniff

• Anna MacEniff: American Painter
• Mairéad MacEniff: Irish Politician
• Dermott MacEniff: Gaelic Football Player
• Mike MacEniff: News Anchor
• Neil MacEniff: Tennis Player
• Finbarr MacEniff: Film and Television Actor
• Sarah MacEniff: Singer/Songwriter
• Kevin MacEniff: Musician
• Mark MacEniff: Advertising Executive
• Jonathan MacEniff: Surgeon

Other surnames

MacEniry