Surname Maginnes - Meaning and Origin
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Maginnes: What does the surname Maginnes mean?
The surname Maginnes is of Irish origin and is generally found in County Donegal and County Leitrim. It is thought to derive from the Gaelic form of the name ‘O’Magain’ and is an occupational name given to those with characteristics of a servant or leader, such as being a tall, majestic person.
This surname has two possible meanings, one of which is 'mighty' or 'valiant', suggesting a person of great strength and courage. The second interpretation is 'mighty in numbers', suggesting a group or clan of powerful individuals.
Furthermore, Maginnes families were known to possess a great affinity to the land, suggesting a pioneering spirit passed down from earlier generations. Primarily anglicized from the Gaelic form of the name O'Magain, the spelling variations of this surname include Maginn, Magin, Maginnis, and Maginess.
On a more symbolic level, the last name Maginnes stand for wisdom, courage, and leadership, and instils a sense of pride and respect in its bearer. Families with this surname are proud to bear a name that embodies such strong traditional values.
Order DNA origin analysisMaginnes: Where does the name Maginnes come from?
The last name Maginnes is most commonly found today in the United States. The origin of the name is French, and the first Maginnes to migrate to America was Louis Maginnes, who arrived in New Amsterdam around 1647. After that, other immigrants arrived, including the Huguenots, who would eventually become known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. By the time of the Revolution, Maginnes families were found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as further south in Maryland and Virginia.
The surname Maginnes is fairly widespread throughout the United States today, with larger concentrations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland. Many Maginneses have settled in the eastern states, although there are also pockets of families in other parts of the country, including Michigan, Illinois, California, and Texas.
The early Maginneses were skilled artisans and craftsmen. Many of their descendants today are engaged in professions such as law, medicine, engineering, and government service. There are also some Maginneses in business, and some well-known public figures have carried the name.
In general, the surname Maginnes is quite widespread today. It is a proud name, with a long and diverse history.
Variations of the surname Maginnes
The surname Maginnes has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most commonly seen are Magnussen, Magennis, Massonis, and Maggay.
Magnussen is a variant of Maginnes which is a Norwegian patronymic surname. It originated as a kind of hereditary last name which was created from the father’s first name and the suffix ‘-sen’ which indicates ‘son of”. In this case, the surname would then mean ‘son of Magnus’.
Magennis is an Irish version of the name Maginnes. The origin of this name is centered around County Down in Northern Ireland. It is a variant of the Gaelic name ‘MacConamha’ and also translates to ‘son of Magnus’. It is most commonly found in Ireland.
Massonis is a variation of Maginnes and is a surname of Italian origin. It is derived from the Latin term ‘massone’ which translates to ‘mason’ or ‘stoneworker’. It was used as an occupational name for a mason or builder, which at one time, was a very common occupation in Italy.
Maggay is the Filipino variation of Maginnes and is derived from the word ‘magay’ which means ‘charm’. This is reflective of the Filipino culture with regards to surnames as they are often chosen to reflect a positive characteristic or trait.
In summary, the Maginnes surname has a plethora of different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most commonly seen are Magnussen, Magennis, Massonis, and Maggay. All of these variants come from different cultures and mean different things, yet they all trace back to the same surname.
Famous people with the name Maginnes
- TJ Maginnes: Major League Baseball player
- Chuck Maginnes: Former professional soccer player and current radio show host
- Austin Maginnes: Singer/songwriter
- Bill Maginnes: Former professional golfer
- Lisa Maginnes: Veteran movie, television and voice actor
- Bob Maginnes: Professional golfer
- Paul Maginnes: Former Broadway actor
- John Maginnes: Professional golfer
- Tom Maginnes: Former professional ice hockey player
- William Maginnes: Author and creative writing professor