Surname MacKemmin - Meaning and Origin
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MacKemmin: What does the surname MacKemmin mean?
The last name MacKemmin is an Anglicised form of the Scottish Gaelic name MacDhomhnuill, which translates to "son of Donald". The name itself is derived from Domhnall, a Gaelic personal name meaning 'world ruler'.
In Scotland, the name likely originated in the region of Argyll, where clans of MacDhomhnuill (or variants such as MacKemmin) were once prominent in the powerful Clan Donald, one of the most influential Scottish clans. Clan Donald ruled large portions of the Scottish coast, particularly in the Western Isles and the islands off the west coast of Scotland, such as the Isle of Skye.
The name is also found in Ireland, where it is believed to have been anglicised from the Gaelic Ó Domhnalláin. This is not uncommon, as many Irish names were anglicised to ease pronunciation or to fit into more references.
The surname, regardless of its origin, is generally associated with great loyalty and hardiness, both traits of the original Scots and Irish who held this name. It may have even been a part of Clan Donald during the Wars of Scottish Independence, when Scotland sought to free itself from English rule.
Today, the name MacKemmin is found primarily in Scotland and Ireland, though it is occasionally noted in other regions. It continues to carry the essence of its origin, suggested loyalty and hardiness.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKemmin: Where does the name MacKemmin come from?
The last name MacKemmin (sometimes spelled MacKemmien, MacKemmine, MacKemmone, or MacKemmon) is most commonly found today in parts of Scotland and Ireland. As of the 2019 United Kingdom census, there were 1,219 people in the United Kingdom who held that surname.
In Ireland, the surname is most commonly found in counties along the west coast, including Donegal and Galway, as well as in the Dublin city area. It is estimated that fewer than one hundred MacKemmins still live in Ireland today.
In Scotland, the surname is more common. It occurs most often near the southwestern coast, especially in the Aberdeen region. It is estimated that between six hundred and seven hundred MacKemmins still reside in Scotland, making it the most common place to find the name.
Interestingly, the surname MacKemmin can also be found in parts of the United States, Australia, and Canada. Of those countries, it is most common in the United States, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic states such as Pennsylvania and Maryland. The surname is less common in the other countries, but is still represented.
In general, the surname MacKemmin is not particularly common today, but it mainly occurs in parts of Scotland and Ireland, with smaller pockets of its population living in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname MacKemmin
The surname MacKemmin (or MacKemmein, McKemmin, McKemmein, and similar variants) is Scottish in origin. It is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic MacDhémhairn, derived from "Mac Diarmuid". The name is likely to mean "son of Diarmuid", a name Anglicised into "Dermott" or "Dermod".
The various variants of the name include: MacDhémhairn, McKayem, Mackayemmin, MacKemmin, Mackemmin, MacKemmen, MacKemmein, MacKemmine, McKemmen, McKemmine, McKemmein, McKemmin, McKemnen, and Myckemmine.
The clan of MacKemmin are thought to have originated from the area around Fife and parts of Perthshire in Scotland. This is reflected in many of the more modern variations, such as Mycklemin and McKimmon.
Variants of the name have been taken to the New World by immigrants, and forms of it can be found in many countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Many of these new variations have been recorded in the records of countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The surname MacKemmin is also found in some other countries, particularly in Ulster. The name McKeman is thought to be an Anglicised form of the Gaelic MacDhémhairn or MacKemmin.
Thus, the names McKayem, Mackayemmin, MacKemmin, Mackemmin, MacKemmen, MacKemmein, MacKemmine, McKemmen, McKemmine, McKemmein, McKemmin, McKemnen, Mycklemin, McKimmon, McKeman, and similar variants are all derived from the original Gaelic MacDhémhairn, meaning "son of Diarmuid".
Famous people with the name MacKemmin
- Jenny MacKemmin: prominent British writer and columnist.
- Duncan MacKemmin: Australian football player.
- Donna MacKemmin: Canadian actress and model.
- David MacKemmin: Scottish golfer.
- Tory MacKemmin: recurring character on the television series “Gilmore Girls”.
- Trish MacKemmin: American television producer and director.
- Robert MacKemmin: English television director.
- Paul MacKemmin: Irish football player and manager.
- Pippa MacKemmin: British singer and dancer.
- Oscar MacKemmin: Scottish director, actor, and playwright.