Surname Magoun - Meaning and Origin
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Magoun: What does the surname Magoun mean?
The surname Magoun is an anglicized version of the French surname MaGon. The surname likely originated in Normandy, a region of France that was famous for its French-Norman architecture. The commonly accepted origin of the Magoun name is from the Old French word ‘goun’ meaning ‘wise’ or ‘wise man’. Combined with the Old French word ‘ma’, which means ‘my’, the name could be interpreted as ‘My Wise One’ or ‘My Wise Man’.
Throughout history, the Magoun surname has been found most prominently in England and the United States. The name has stayed relatively rare, so research into the history of the Magoun family is limited. However, a few significant individuals known to have borne the name Magoun have been documented.
For instance, John H. Magoun was an American civil engineer who is credited with designing several important railroads in the late 19th century. He is buried in the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland. Another noteworthy Magoun is Dr. Dean Magoun, who was a prominent American professor at Harvard Law School and a member of the faculty at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from 1819-1831.
Overall, the surname Magoun originated from the French goun meaning ‘wise’ or ‘wise man’ and has continued to be passed down through the centuries. Due to its limited usage, the family history of the Magoun name is difficult to trace. However, the Magouns have been associated with numerous esteemed professions and public figures.
Order DNA origin analysisMagoun: Where does the name Magoun come from?
The last name Magoun is most commonly found in the United States; specifically concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest regions. In the United States the total Magoun population is estimated to be around 7,000 people. This number is likely higher as some will not have had the name on census returns.
The regions with the highest concentration of Magouns are the states of Massachusetts, Michigan and New York. Massachusetts is most commonly thought of as the “home state” for Magouns; having the highest concentration and the highest population overall. Magouns can also be traced back to the states of Maine, Connecticut and New Hampshire.
Internationally, Magouns have settled in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and parts of Europe. The founder of the Magoun lineage was George Magoun, a merchant and sea captain, who emigrated from England to Massachusetts in the late 1630s. He founded a large family in both England and Massachusetts.
Magouns can be found in a wide variety of occupations, ranging from military service, to professions in law and medicine, to entrepreneurs and farmers. They have been involved in American history over several centuries and have a proud heritage of public service, having been part of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, as well as the Civil War.
Today, the Magoun name is still strong and the bloodline continues to thrive. An often cited slogan of the Magoun family is: “Ever forward!” which aptly summarizes their progress and determination.
Variations of the surname Magoun
The surname Magoun is of French origin and has a variety of spellings and variations including Magouin, Macouin, Mackoun, Macoun, Macowen, Mackeon, Mackin, MacJenn, Macgen, Mackein, Macgin, and Maccon.
The spelling of the surname Magoun is based on the French pronunciation of the words but also reflects the choices of Anglicized spellings of the surname. The variations Magouin and Macouin, for example, are based on a variety of different French pronunciations rather than one particular spelling.
The surname Magoun can also be found as the surnames Mackoun and Macoun. These two spellings are related to the Scottish name Mackeon or Mckon. The Middle English spelling of the name is Mackeon and that became the modern day spelling Macoun. Both Mackoun and Macoun have been found used interchangeably in some cases.
The surname Macowen is similar to the original Magoun surname, but is from Scotland and spelled as Macouin. The Macowen surname may have derived from the Gaelic name macEoghain, meaning 'son of Eoghan'.
The surnames MacJenn, Macgen, and Mackein are all believed to be anglicized versions of the Magoun surname. MacJenn is a variation of the Welsh name 'MacGwynn' which may have been adopted by some members of the Magoun family and Anglicized into MacJenn. Macgen is similar to the Scottish spelling Mackeon and is used interchangeably in some cases. Similarly, Mackein is believed to be a variation of the name Mackeon.
The surname Macgin and Maccon are more modern versions of the Magoun surname, with the former being a shortening of Mackeon and Maccon being a slightly altered version. All of these variant names have contributed to the numerable variations of the Magoun (and related) surnames and the seemingly never-ending list of possible spellings.
Famous people with the name Magoun
- Seth Magoun, American politician and member of Michigan House of Representatives
- Ernest Magoun, American physicist and educator
- William Magoun, American Johnsonian scholar and classicist
- George Magoun, American banker, investor, and philanthropist
- Lawrence Magoun, American Professor of Political Science who served as the Provost at Stanford University
- Julian Magoun, American engineer and former Chief Development Officer for the United States Air Force
- Harlan Magoun, American actor, best known for his role in the television series M*A*S*H
- Charles Magoun, American lawyer and former Postmaster General of the United States
- William Magoun Jr., American politician and former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
- Franklin Magoun, American brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War