Surname MacGuynn - Meaning and Origin
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MacGuynn: What does the surname MacGuynn mean?
The last name MacGuynn is an anglicized version of the Gaelic Mac Mathghamhna, which is also written as MacGuinne and MacGinna. The name is derived from a Gaelic personal name, Mathghamhain, which means “Hound of the Bear” or “Bear’s Son”.
The name has its roots in medieval Scotland and is of the ancient Pictish/Gaelic origin. There are multiple theories about its ancient origins. One theory is that the MacGuynn’s are of a Cianachta, a clan that came from what is now south-eastern County Donegal in Ireland. These Cianachta clans were descended from Donn “of the Iron Hand”, who is thought to be a direct descendent of Cormac mac Art, the legendary High King of Ireland.
Another theory is that the name is derived from the Bergers of Breiffne, a sept located in what is has now become County Leitrim and County Cavan. These septs were descended from Ferfind, the mythical ancestor of Clan Cian, a sept of the central Uí Néill.
Regardless of its origin, the name MacGuynn is proud and ancient one. It has been used for centuries and is well known in Scotland, Ireland, and even America. It is often used in different forms, such MacGinn or MacGinna, but the meaning remains the same - “Bear’s Son”.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGuynn: Where does the name MacGuynn come from?
The last name MacGuynn is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of Northern England. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name MacShuibhne which means "son of Suibhne". The original patronymic surname was most likely derived from an ancestor's personal name.
The surname was closely associated with the Clan MacFarlane and Clan Lamont and appears to be a hereditary name of some of the Highland families of these clans. During the seventeenth century, many of those associated with clan Lamont, including MacGuynn, emigrated to Northern Ireland and today are widely dispersed throughout the country.
There has also been a fair amount of MacGuynn people who have emigrated overseas, most notably to the United States. Many of these individuals have settled in the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. It is also widely seen in Canada, where it is particularly common in the province of Alberta.
Overall, MacGuynn is a surname that is still quite common today, especially in Scotland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, as well as in parts of the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname MacGuynn
The surname MacGuynn is derived from the Irish Gaelic surname Mac Aodhghain which means ‘son of Aodhagán’ or ‘son of Egan’. This surname is found predominantly in Northern Ireland, with some variations in spelling as the name has been Anglicised over time.
Variations of the surname MacGuynn include MacGowan, McGowan, McGown, McGoun, McGun, Magowan, McGin, McGon and Maguin. Additionally, variants such as Gaffney, Goffney, Goin, Gowing and Goyne may also be found in some areas.
An alternate spelling of MacGuynn is MacEoin (or MacEwen) which is a variation of MacKeown or MacKean, two other similar and related surnames. This variation is more commonly found in Scotland and the Isle of Man.
The surnames MacGowan, McGown and McGoun are also found in Ulster and Scotland, although are more closely linked to the surname MacGill, which is derived from the Gaelic Mac means ‘son of Gill’. This name is found more often in County Derry in Northern Ireland and in Scotland, mainly in Perthshire and Ayrshire.
The surname Maguin is a Scots version of the surname MacGilléimoinn (MacGilléimhín) which means ‘son of the servant of Saint Andrew’. Similarly, Gaffney, Goffney, Goin and Gowing, etc., are variants of the Irish Gaelic surname Mag Aoidh, or Mac Aoidh, meaning ‘son of Hugh’.
All of these variants and spellings can be traced back to the original Irish Gaelic form of the surname Mac Aodhghain. They all belong to the same broader family, and are descended from the same ancestral source.
Famous people with the name MacGuynn
- Emmett MacGuynn: Emmett MacGuynn is an Irish actor from Dublin who starred in several films and television series. Most recently, he played the role of Michael in the television series Dubliners.
- Patrick MacGuynn: Patrick MacGuynn is a professional Gaelic football player from Ireland who has represented his country in international competitions. He plays for the Dublin County team and was a part of their All-Ireland Final win in 2019.
- Caitlin MacGuynn: Caitlin MacGuynn is a Scottish actress who has appeared in a number of television shows and films. Most notably, she starred in the movie, The Referee, alongside popular actors Luke White and James Cosmo.
- Liam MacGuynn: Liam MacGuynn is an American actor who has appeared in several television shows and films, including the hit television show, Grey's Anatomy. His most recent role was in the movie series, The Divergent Series, where he played the role of Tobias Eaton.
- Siobhan MacGuynn: Siobhan MacGuynn is an Irish singer and songwriter who has released several popular albums and singles. She has been featured on the soundtrack of major films such as The Legend of Tarzan and The Martian.
- Douglas MacGuynn: Douglas MacGuynn is an American football player who is currently a college coach. He has held head coaching jobs at several universities, including the University of Southern California and the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers.