Surname MacInnis of Barra - Meaning and Origin
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MacInnis of Barra: What does the surname MacInnis of Barra mean?
The last name MacInnis is of Scottish origin and primarily found in the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland. The name is derived from the Gaelic name "MacAonghais," which translates to "Son of Angus." Angus or Aonghas is a Celtic god of love and youth in ancient mythology, so the surname can imply being the "descendant of Angus."
Barra refers to the island of Barra located in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The MacInnis clan is historically established here and it served as the clan seat for centuries. Upon saying "MacInnis of Barra", one signifies their lineage to this specific branch of the MacInnis clan residing in Barra.
Thus, the last name "MacInnis of Barra" signifies a familial lineage denoting one as being a descendant of an individual named Angus originating from the island of Barra in Scotland. This name carries a distinct mark of ancestry, heritage, and association with ancient Celtic mythology.
Order DNA origin analysisMacInnis of Barra: Where does the name MacInnis of Barra come from?
The last name MacInnis has Scottish origins. It's an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Aonghuis" which translates to "son of Angus". This name is mainly associated with the Hebridean island of Barra, which is located off the western coast of Scotland. MacInnis families of Barra trace their lineage to the Clan MacDonald of Clanranald. As a historical figure, Angus was considered the Celtic god of love and beauty. Known for his wisdom and eloquence, the influence of these characteristics is seen as carried forth in the MacInnis lineage.
Over time, MacInnis families have spread all over the world due to migration and other circumstances, but the name remains most common within Scotland and in countries with significant Scottish diaspora. This includes countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In particular, due to historic Scottish emigration to North America, the name MacInnis can often be found in areas of Canada such as Nova Scotia which has a rich Scottish heritage.
Variations of the surname MacInnis of Barra
The surnames MacInnis and Macennis are of Scottish Gaelic origin, primarily recognized in the western Isles of Scotland, particularly the Isle of Barra. The name MacInnis derives from the clan 'Mac Aonghuis' which means 'son of Angus'.
There are several variations and spellings of this surname, having evolved over centuries due to different regional dialects, languages, and handwriting interpretation. Some variants include MacAonghuis, MacAngus, MacEnnis, McInnes, McInnis, McAngus, McKinnis, McKennis, McKinness, MacInness, McGinnis, and Magennis. Each variant is a phonetic adaptation of the original Gaelic name.
It is also worth noting that the adoption of surnames in Scotland was not common until the 16th century and even then, people often used a patronymic system where an individual's name was derived from the father or a paternal ancestor's name.
The process of Anglicization also greatly modified many Scottish and other Gaelic surnames, leading to variations in spelling and pronunciation. This is why names such as MacInnis have numerous spelling variants.
Finally, the last name can differ drastically when translated into other languages, further increasing the number of potential variants. For instance, in English, the name can be translated to "Johnson", which quite literally means "son of John". Thus, all these factors have contributed to the diversity and evolution of the MacInnis surname.
Famous people with the name MacInnis of Barra
- Angus MacInnes: Angus MacInnes is an actor from Barra, Scotland. He has appeared in a number of films and TV shows, including Game of Thrones, Calibre, and Wonder Woman 1984.
- Morag MacInnes: Morag MacInnes is an author living in Barra, Scotland. She has written a number of books, including Belonging: A Memoir of Place and Time, Island in the Storm and Finding My Way Home: A Memoir of Homecoming.
- Lachlan MacInnes: Lachlan MacInnes is a professional musician from Barra, Scotland. He has released three albums, and his latest, ‘Celtic Echoes’, explores the traditional music of Barra and the islands of Scotland.
- Alasdair MacInnes: Alasdair MacInnes is a traditional Barra weaver from Scotland. He is renowned for weaving the iconic Harris Tweed fabric, which he has been doing since he was a child.
- Eilidh MacInnes: Eilidh MacInnes is a landscape photographer from Barra, Scotland. She has won several awards for her photographs, which capture the natural beauty of the islands in the Outer Hebrides.
- Katie MacInnes: Katie MacInnes is a YouTube creator from Barra, Scotland. She posts regularly about her life as a young girl living in a small island community, and her vlogs feature encounters with many of the island’s quirky characters.