Surname MacInnes - Meaning and Origin
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MacInnes: What does the surname MacInnes mean?
The surname MacInnes is of Scottish origin, which derives from the Gaelic language. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Aonghuis", meaning "son of Angus". Angus or Aonghas is a compound of Celtic origin which can be interpreted as "one strength" or "only choice". It consists of elements 'Oin', translating to one, and 'gus' meaning choice. This name signifies a descendant of Angus, who is remembered in Celtic mythology as an Irish god of love and youth. Presently, the surname MacInnes is mostly found in Scotland, specifically in the Hebridean islands. It is sometimes seen with different spelling variations like MacAngus, McInnes, or McAngus, due to its phonetic transcription from Gaelic to English.
Order DNA origin analysisMacInnes: Where does the name MacInnes come from?
The surname MacInnes is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name MacAonghais which means "son of Angus". The Clan MacInnes emerged from the Western Highlands in the district of Morvern in Argyll during the Middle Ages. The term "mac" in Scottish and Irish culture indicates 'son of', hence MacInnes is linked to individuals who are descendants of a person named Angus.
Historically, the MacInnes clan were well known as the followers of St. Columba, an Irish missionary who is credited with spreading Christianity in Scotland. With the passage of time and the Scottish diaspora, people bearing the surname MacInnes have spread across the world. Today, it is most common in countries like Scotland, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Over the centuries, variations of the spelling of MacInnes have appeared, including MacAngus, MacInnis, and McGinnis among others. The surname primarily signifies ancestry connections to the ancient Scottish clans, symbolizes familial lineage, and exemplifies ancient Scottish tradition and history.
Variations of the surname MacInnes
The surname MacInnes is of Scottish origin, and has several variants and spellings that have evolved over centuries due to changes in language and migration. MacInnes is derived from the Gaelic name MacAonghais which can be translated to mean "son of Angus". Variations and alternative spellings of the surname MacInnes can include McInnes, McInnis, M'Innes, M'Innis, MacInnis, M'Ainsh, M'Ennis, and MacAngus.
The apostrophe in some versions (like M'Innes or M'Ainsh) is a contraction of 'Mac', used in many Scottish surnames. Despite the variations in spelling, these surnames generally have the same origin and meaning. The surname pronunciation can also vary depending on the region, adding to the variety of spellings.
It is also quite common for different branches of the same family to use different spellings of the surname. Therefore, individuals with the surnames McInnes, MacInnis, MacAngus and other variants could potentially share a common ancestry. As with many surnames, genealogical research is necessary to confirm any specific relations.
Famous people with the name MacInnes
- Laura MacInnes: Scottish pop singer who competed in series 9 of the British reality TV show The X Factor in 2016.
- David MacInnes: Scottish singer-songwriter who has released a successful album of Scottish folk songs.
- Alan MacInnes: Canadian television actor known for his lead roles in the series Murdoch Mysteries and Endgame.
- John MacInnes: Scottish NHL Hall of Fame coach who led the Michigan Tech Huskies to three NCAA hockey championships in the 1960s.
- Andrew MacInnes: Scottish film director and producer who has won awards for his work on feature films such as Sheena and Sirens.
- Neil MacInnes: Canadian musician who released his debut album in 2010 and has since released multiple EPs.
- Iain MacInnes: Scottish artist and photographer who has exhibited his work nationally and internationally.
- Malcolm MacInnes: Scottish rugby union player who represented the Scotland national side from 1960 to 1968.
- Billie MacInnes: Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has recently released her debut EP.
- Alasdair MacInnes: Scottish author and historian known for works on Scottish traditional culture and myths.