Surname MacInnis - Meaning and Origin
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MacInnis: What does the surname MacInnis mean?
The surname MacInnis is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Aonghais" which means "son of Angus". Angus is derived from the elements "aon", meaning one, and "gus", meaning choice. Essentially, MacInnis could be interpreted as "son of the chosen one". This name is particularly common in regions of Scotland where Gaelic was traditionally spoken, such as the Highlands and Western Isles. In these regions, surnames were often derived from the name of a revered ancestor, indicating a form of patronymic lineage. The name Angus itself is associated with a Celtic god and an ancient Irish king. Overall, the surname MacInnis carries strong historical and cultural significance in Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacInnis: Where does the name MacInnis come from?
The surname MacInnis is of Scottish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Aonghais which translates to "son of Angus". The name Angus itself is composed of Celtic elements meaning "one", and "choice". This surname is particularly associated with the Hebrides; an archipelago off the west coast of mainland Scotland.
MacInnis is most common in regions that have seen significant Scottish immigration. It is particularly prevalent in Nova Scotia, Canada where many Scottish immigrants, especially Highlanders, settled during the 18th and 19th centuries. The name is also relatively common in the United States, particularly states that saw a high influx of Scottish immigration such as New England, Virginia, and the Carolinas. In Scotland, it remains most common in the Western Isles and Skye region. The surname is sometimes condensed to MacNeil or McNeil in even more Anglicized versions.
Variations of the surname MacInnis
The surname MacInnis is of Scottish origin and is part of the larger group of surnames derived from the personal names of family ancestors. This specific surname is believed to be derived from the personal name Angus.
The surname has numerous variations and spellings due to factors such as dialect, regional accents, literacy levels and translation between languages over centuries. Variants and spellings of the MacInnis surname include: MacAngus, MacInnes, MacEnnis, McInnis, McInnes, McAngus, McInnish, McGinnis, M'Innes, M'Angus, Maconis, Mackonochie, and MacGuiness.
Many times, Mac, Mc, or M' prefixes may be used interchangeably, all meaning "son of" in Gaelic. These variations also happen because spellings were often phonetic during the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime.
Sometimes, the translation of the surname into English also leads to a significant number of different spellings. For example, the surname MacInnis may also be found as MacAngus, with "Angus" being the Anglicized form of the name.
Modern variations or adaptations may further alter the spelling but still relate to the original surname, for example, Mackinnis or Mackines.
Famous people with the name MacInnis
- Al MacInnis: A retired professional ice hockey player from Canada. He is recognized as one of the strongest shooting defencemen in NHL history.
- Tom MacInnis: An engineer based in the United States, known for his work in audio design.
- Christie MacInnis: A Canadian actress known for her roles in films like "Black Conflux" and "Reykjavik".
- Stuart MacInnis: prominent figure in agricultural policy-making in Prince Edward Island, Canada.
- Lachlan MacInnis: Known for his roles in drama series "H2O: Just Add Water", Australian actor and singer.
- Ryan MacInnis: A professional ice hockey player, son of the aforementioned Al MacInnis. He currently plays in the NHL.
- Duncan MacInnis: A Scottish football player who played as a defender.
- Lauren MacInnis: A film production designer known for her work in "Camp Hollywood".
- Heather MacInnis: Known for her work in films like "Jamaica Inn" and "Romancing Saga".
- Leslie MacInnis: An artist from the United States recognized for her mixed media artwork.