Surname MacGuinn - Meaning and Origin
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MacGuinn: What does the surname MacGuinn mean?
The name MacGuinn is an Irish surname of Scottish origin, coming from the Gaelic name MacUalagain. This name is derived from a first name composed of two elements: “mac”, which means “son of”, and “Ualagán”, meaning “valiant”. Thus, the name literally translates to “son of the valiant one”.
The MacGuinns were part of the ancient Dal Riata, a large-scale Gaelic kingdom that existed in both Scotland and Ireland. In Scotland, the name concentrated mainly in the highlands while in Ireland it spread to County Tyrone and County Donegal. Historically, the most prominent bearers of the MacGuinn surname have belonged to powerful clans, such as the McFaddens of Donegal and the McFadzeans of Ayrshire in Scotland.
Today MacGuinns can be found throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the rest of the British Isles. The MacGuinns have maintained their heavy Scottish influence, as evidenced by their strong ties to Scotland's traditional sports such as curling, shinty, and the Highland Games.
The MacGuinns are a fiercely proud ancestral link to their Celtic roots, and despite numerous forced migrations, they have held firmly onto their traditions and heritage over centuries. The MacGuinns are a testament of the strong cultural and historical ties between Scotland and Ireland and the strength and tenacity of the Celts.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGuinn: Where does the name MacGuinn come from?
The surname MacGuinn is of Scottish origins and can still be found predominantly in Scotland today. It is also fairly common in areas of northern England, particularly in counties such as Lancashire and Cumbria.
The surname MacGuinn is an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic Mac Cuinn, which literally translates to “son of Conn". It is derived from the Gaelic first name Con, meaning “wolf” or “strong" and is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Conn.”
The surname MacGuinn is comparatively rare in the United States, but it can be found in some cases. The 1910 US Census noted approximate 92 individuals bearing the surname throughout the country, spread across 19 states. There has been a subsequent increase in the number of MacGuinns in the United States since then, but they remain rare.
Today, the MacGuinn surname is spread across the world, and FamilySearch.org lists individuals of this surname from Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and even New Zealand. It is likely that some of these namebearers are descendants of Scots who left Scotland in pursuit of economic opportunity.
The MacGuinn name is a reminder of Scotland’s rich Clan culture, and there are several Clan Web sites, both in Scotland and North America, that are dedicated to the MacGuinn name. With its deep historical roots, the MacGuinn surname is sure to endure for centuries to come.
Variations of the surname MacGuinn
The surname MacGuinn has many different variants, spellings, and surnames that all derive from the same origin.
The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Fhionn, which means “son of the fair one” and is related to the Latin name Finian. MacFhionn is anglicized as MacGuinn, and also as McGinn, McGinnis, McGinley, McGincey, Ginn, Ginnett, Ginnish, Ginns, and Ginty. There are also several variants of this surname in Scotland, including MacGunn, MacGunnis, MacGunne, MacGwin, MacGwing, MacGowing, and MacGuine.
The surname is also found in Ireland, where it is spelled MacQuin, MacQueen, MacQuaid, MacQuane, MacQuinn, and MacQunne. In some instances, this surname has also been Anglicized as Quin and Quinn.
In the United States, the surname can be found in various spellings, including MacGwin, McGin, McGinn, McGinnis, McQuin, MacQuean, MacG thanks, MacGunning, and McGuin, among others.
Due to its diverse range of spellings and variants, it can be difficult to trace a family’s lineage back to a MacGuinn ancestor. However, with a little bit of research, it is possible to find out more information about your family’s history and the origin of the surname MacGuinn.
Famous people with the name MacGuinn
- Paul McGuinn, better known as Roger McGuinn—lead singer for the 1960s folk-rock band The Byrds
- Martin McGuinn, British actor and television presenter
- Dickie McGuinn, retired professional hockey player
- Charles McGuinn, known professionally as Jayhawks guitarist and frontman Mark Olson
- Charles McGuinn III, American musician
- Angus McGuinn, Scottish actor
- Patricia McGuinn, British writer
- Declan McGuinn, former Northern Irish singer, songwriter, and reality television personality
- Mac McGuinn, English rugby player and coach
- Kim McGuinn, American singer-songwriter