Surname MacKeown - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacKeown: What does the surname MacKeown mean?
The last name MacKeown is of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the given name Aodh or Aodha, which means "fire". It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Aodhagain, meaning “son of Aodhagain”. The name is derived from the elements "Mac" or "Maca" "son of" and "Aodh" which means "fire". The name was used to describe someone with a fiery temperament or a ruddy complexion.
This surname is found mainly in Scotland and Ireland as a result of the spread of Gaelic and Scots-Irish culture. In the earlier part of the eighteenth century, many Anglicized Scottish and Irish families emigrated to North America in search of new opportunities. The name MacKeown has been found in many counties in the United States, including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
The MacKeown family crest bears the head and shoulders of a red-haired man in Ulster attire surrounded by a red and blue shield. It symbolizes the fiery characteristics of the original MacKeowns, a family of warriors and warriors’ sons. The colors of the shield stand for excellence, courage, and loyalty, all traits associated with the MacKeowns.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKeown: Where does the name MacKeown come from?
The last name MacKeown is most commonly found today in the British Isles, particularly in the country of Ireland. It is also found in smaller numbers in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
In Ireland, there are several hundred recorded people who bear the name MacKeown, primarily in County Mayo in the western part of the country. In the United States, most MacKeowns are found in states with sizeable Irish-American populations such as New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
The MacKeown surname originates from the Gaelic Mac Eoghain, which means "son of Eoghan," and is a surname most commonly associated with the O'Neill clan. MacKeowns in Ireland descend from various Frankish, Norman, and Gaulish settlers in the 12th and 13th centuries. As such, the last name often has several spellings which range from Mackown to MacKenney and McKune, among others.
In recent times, some have Anglicized the name to simple McKown, while others still retain the original Gaelic form. As a result, the surname remains relatively common today nationally and in its native homeland of Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacKeown
MacKeown is a variation on the Irish surname Mac Eoghain, which is derived from the first name "Éoghán". It is one of the most common Irish surnames, and variations of the name are found throughout the world.
The most common variant of MacKeown is MacEwen, which is the traditional Scottish spelling. This is the anglicised form of the Gaelic name MacEṁeoin. Other variants of MacKeown include MacKeon, MacEoin, McKown, McKeon, McKoen, and MacEuen.
In the United States, MacKeown is typically spelled as MacKown, MacKoen, MacKune, MacCoen, MacQueen, and MacQuinn. In Ireland, the spelling MacKwen is common.
The surname MacKeown is also found in various Latin-based languages as MacCuin, MacQuin, and MacKuiin. In France and Luxembourg, the surname is spelled MacQuin and MacKuin by some families. In the Netherlands, the surname is spelled MacKune.
Finally, surnames associated with or derived from MacKeown include McKoon, McCune, McCuen, McKune, McKuen, McCane, and McQween.
Famous people with the name MacKeown
- Nicky MacKeown: American jazz drummer
- Stacy MacKeown: American figure skater
- Mary MacKeown: British sculptor
- Mike MacKeown: American baseball coach and sports announcer
- Robert MacKeown: British actor
- Tricia MacKeown: American singer/songwriter
- Neil MacKeown: British author and broadcaster
- Anne MacKeown: Canadian Olympic equestrian
- Peter MacKeown: Irish politician
- Rory MacKeown: advice columnist and speaker from Scotland