Surname MacKeen - Meaning and Origin
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MacKeen: What does the surname MacKeen mean?
The surname MacKeen is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name 'Mac Aonghuis' which translates to "Son of Angus." Angus is a personal name of ancient Celtic origin that traces back to the Pagan god Aonghus, known as the Celtic god of love and youth. MacKeen is often associated with the Scottish Hebrides, specifically the Isle of Skye, where the MacAngus family was particularly prominent in the early centuries. Over time, variations of the original Gaelic 'Mac Aonghuis' surfaced, one of them being MacKeen. Similar to other surnames starting with 'Mac', it signifies familial relations or lineage, making it identifiable as a patronymic surname. Not all individuals with the last name MacKeen may be of Scottish descent, however, due to the widespread diaspora of the Scottish people throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKeen: Where does the name MacKeen come from?
The surname MacKeen is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Eanruig, which means "son of Henry". It came into being from the ancient Pictish clans of Scotland's wilderness. This surname became popular among Scottish Highland clans in the territory of Rannoch.
Since those ancient times, MacKeen has mainly been a descriptive surname. Based on the tradition of adopting surnames based on occupation or personal characteristics, it could be speculated that the original bearers of the MacKeen surname took the name due to being descendants or followers of a person named Henry.
Today, the MacKeen surname is not very common, but it can be found both in Scotland and among families of Scottish descent in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Over time, various spellings of the surname have emerged, including Mackeen, McKeen, Mackeane, and Mackain among others.
Variations of the surname MacKeen
The surname MacKeen has numerous variations and spellings due to regional factors, dialects, and historical misspellings over the years. Variations of this surname include MacKean, MacKeon, MacKin, Mackeen, MacKinnon, McKean, Mckeen, McKeon, McKinnon, Mackie, Mackin, and MacCain among others.
The surname is derived from the Gaelic personal name Eachann, meaning "horse lord". It originated from the Celtic tribe known as the Scots, a group who were first found in Argyllshire on the western coast of Scotland.
Given the different regional influences and dialects in Scotland, the surname evolved and was spelled in different ways as Scots travelled around the country and migrated abroad. These various spellings sometimes even led to different branches of the family, and as such, are treated as separate surnames today. Some variations could also be linked back to specific regions. For example, the MacKinnon variant is most commonly found in the Hebrides.
Finally, it's worth noting that all these names, despite their variations, share a common root and as such are of the same origin.
Famous people with the name MacKeen
Megan MacKeen is a Canadian actress who has been involved in various television shows including 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' and 'Cashing In'. Another is Paula MacKeen, a Canadian actress, known for 'No Easy Days' (2018) and 'In Plainview' (2018). Megan Gail MacKeen is also an actress, recognized for her role in 'A Family Lost' (2007). Bill MacKeen is a film producer involved in the project 'Pieces of Dreams' (1970). Lisa MacKeen is noted for her work in 'Killer Mountain' (2011), 'Carnegie's Invention of the Arts of Peace' (2013) and 'Love and Skin' (2013). Moriah MacKeen is an author known for various written works such as 'Who Knows?' (2018). Donald W. MacKeen is a professor emeritus of Russian at Colby College, Waterville, ME where he taught courses in Russian language, 19th and 20th century Russian literature, and (in English translation) 20th century Russian fiction, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Pushkin. Please note that due to the less common nature of the surname 'MacKeen', there are fewer individuals with public or celebrity status carrying this name.