Surname MacKnew - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacKnew: What does the surname MacKnew mean?
The surname MacKnew is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Cnaimhin, which is derived from the personal name Cnaimhin. The name Cnaimhin is composed of two elements: cnaimh, meaning “accrue, acquire, possess”; and –in, a diminutive suffix. Therefore, this surname was used to refer to a “little one who has acquired something” – likely referring to a person who has acquired possessions or land through inheritance, marriage, or purchase.
This surname is particularly found in a region of Scotland known as the Highlands. It is primarily associated with the Clan MacKenzie, whose ancestor, Kenneth comes from the personal name Cnaimhin. The MacKenzies are said to have been a powerful Irish tribe in days gone by. They held various lands throughout the region, often engaging in skirmishes with other local clans.
MacKnew is a variation of MacKenzie, and is simply the anglicized version of the Gaelic spelling. It is believed to have originated in the Scottish town of Strathpeffer, which was the center of MacKenzie Clan activity in the 16th and 17th centuries. The people of this region began to spell their name differently in order to differentiate themselves from other clans, and to distinguish their name from similar-sounding surnames.
The surname MacKnew is an undoubtedly ancient name steeped in Scottish history and culture, and serves as a reminder of the proud and independent heritage of its bearer.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKnew: Where does the name MacKnew come from?
The surname MacKnew seems to be of Scottish origin. Derived from "Mac" which in Gaelic means "son of", this indicates the surname is patronymic. However, it doesn't appear in the standard directory of old and well-known Scottish surnames. It's possible the name has undergone changes over time, perhaps from a more common Scottish surname, making its original form hard to track.
Currently, the surname MacKnew is quite rare. It doesn't appear in significant numbers in any particular region based on available data. Most commonly, it can be found in the United States, though in small concentrations throughout the country rather than a specific region. This dispersion is likely due to the migration patterns of Scottish immigrants in the past. It is important to note that the availability and accuracy of this information may vary due to the rarity of the surname. More comprehensive genealogical research would be necessary to provide a completely accurate representation of the surname's origin and distribution. Please regard this as an introduction to the surname MacKnew.
Variations of the surname MacKnew
The surname MacKnew is unusual and unique, making it difficult to find variants, alternate spellings, or related surnames. It appears to be Scottish in origin, given the "Mac" prefix, which usually means "son of" in Gaelic.
While it's not easy to directly match MacKnew with other existing surnames due to its rarity, it may be thematically linked to other surnames with similar "Mac" prefix and Scottish or Irish origin. These could include, for example, surnames like MacKinnon, MacKinnell, MacNeish, or MacNee.
However, it's important to bear in mind that these are not directly acquired from the surname 'MacKnew’. They simply share a similar linguistic origin and structure. Other possible variations of MacKnew might manipulate the phonetic sound rather than the spelling, thus leading to surnames like McKnew or Mackneu based on mispronunciation or mishearing.
Again, because the name is so rare, potential spellings can't be confirmed without historical and genealogical research.
Please take this information with the understanding that with such an unique and rare surname like MacKnew, it's especially challenging to identify variants, spellings, and related surnames.
Famous people with the name MacKnew
- Diane MacKnew-Kording: an American artist and illustrator.
- Jean MacKnew-Thompson: a Canadian theatre and performing arts administrator.
- Amanda MacKnew-Nelsen: a Scottish drummer and songwriter.
- Don MacKnew: an American jazz trombonist and composer.
- Paul MacKnew: an American actor, producer and director.
- Michael MacKnew: an American film composer and orchestrator.
- Connor MacKnew: a Canadian actor and singer.
- Griffin MacKnew: a Scottish musician and folk singer.
- Gavin MacKnew: an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.
- Red MacKnew: an American country singer and songwriter.
- Joanna MacKnew-Jones: a British sculptor and painter.
- Robert MacKnew: an American poet, novelist, and playwright.
- Taylor MacKnew: an American film composer and producer.
- Jennifer MacKnew-Vanderhoff: a Canadian stage director and playwright.
- Margaret MacKnew: a British actor and television presenter.