Surname MacVinish - Meaning and Origin
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MacVinish: What does the surname MacVinish mean?
The last name MacVinish traces its roots back to the Scottish Gaelic and Scots languages and can be found in records dating back to the 15th century. The surname is derived from the Gaelic MacAonghais meaning "son of Aonghas," where Aonghas is a personal name believed to mean "choice of the Valkyrie" or "choice of the gods." This surname was more commonly Anglicized as MacInnes, MacKinnon, and MacKinnish.
The Scottish clans who bore the MacVinish surname settled primarily in the western Highlands region of Scotland, particularly in the island of Mull, where the isolated nature of the spot worked to develop their own particular, unique and distinct culture. It is thought that the MacVinish's were Norse-Irish Celts, primarily from Clan Maclean, some of whom most likely did some Viking raids.
The MacVinish family name is associated with loyalty and joy. The members take pride in their heritage and continue to pass down a strong Gaelic identity and culture to new generations. They also have a reputation for stoic acceptance of life's hardships and fates.
The surname MacVinish is a proud reminder of Scotland's mighty past and the people who gave us a wonderfully rich and creative history. Those who carry the surname can take solace that their roots are borne in strength, courage, loyalty and joy.
Order DNA origin analysisMacVinish: Where does the name MacVinish come from?
The last name MacVinish is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, with the majority of bearers being located in the northeastern parts of North America.
The earliest known bearers of the name arrived in North America from Scotland in the late 1700s, settling mainly in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada as well as New England in the United States. Subsequent generations spread across the continent, so today the name can be found in virtually all fifty states as well as the majority of Canadian provinces and territories.
Demographically speaking, the concentration of MacVinishes is highest in Canada with Ontario and Quebec having the most numerous MacVinish populations. Following that is Maine, New England with many family members still living in the area in which they first settled centuries ago. Other concentrations can be found in Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia, as well as New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the United States.
Interestingly, the population of MacVinishes has grown significantly over the years, with a General Social Survey in the United States reporting just 800 MacVinish households in 2014. This number has likely grown since then, given the sheer number of MacVinishes living in North America.
Variations of the surname MacVinish
The surname MacVinish has several variants and spellings that are interchangeable. These include MacVinish, MacVinis, MacVinish, MacVynish, MacVany, MacVanish, MacVanis, MacVanysh, MacVainis, MacVannish, MacVannysh, and MacVanish.
MacVinish is an ancient Scottish surname that was first recorded before 1100 AD. It is believed to be derived from the Middle English word 'vini-haus', which means ‘house of vine,’ and may have been used to refer to a place where wine was made or stored.
The surname MacVinish is also seen in other European languages such as Welsh and Irish. For example, the Welsh form of the surname, MacWynish is still in use, while in Ireland, various forms of the surname are found as MacGush, MacGushin, and MacVines.
In Australia and New Zealand, the surname MacVinish is often used as an Anglicized version of MacVynish, MacVanish and MacVannish.
In the United States, descendants of Scottish immigrants bearing the MacVinish surname can be found in Washington, Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, among many other states.
The MacVinish family name has been in use for centuries and continues to be seen in many countries around the world, as well as in a variety of spellings and variants. Today, it is most commonly found in Scotland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Famous people with the name MacVinish
- Calum MacVinish: Scottish TV presenter and actor.
- Allison MacVinish: Canadian actress.
- Donald MacVinish: Scottish actor best known for his roles in the film 'Braveheart' and the television mini-series 'The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil'.
- Rob MacVinish: Australian comedian and internet personality.
- James MacVinish: American actor and voiceover artist.
- Jamie MacVinish: Canadian ice hockey player.
- Kim MacVinish: Canadian politician, who served on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 1999.
- Fergus MacVinish: Scottish politician.
- Andrew MacVinish: Scottish race car driver.
- Jessica MacVinish: Australian actress, writer and director.