Surname Mc Guinness - Meaning and Origin

Mc Guinness: What does the surname Mc Guinness mean?

The last name “Mc Guinness” is a Gaelic/Irish name that can be understood to mean “son of the gom”, with gom being a nickname for a man of noble character. This nickname would have been assumed by an ancestor of someone with the surname Mc Guinness, and has been carried down through the generations. The original Gaelic version of the surname was Mac Gilna Gníomhaigeain, which literally translates to “son of the noble youth”.

The meaning behind the Mc Guinness last name is intertwined with Irish medieval history, as it was first used by the powerful Maguire clan in Fermanagh. The Maguire family had an extended noble lineage that was associated with the Uí Thuathail sept. During the 13th century, the Maguire family adopted the surname Mac Guinness, in honour of their most famous member, Noble Youth, Chief of Clan Murtagh O'Guinness.

The Mc Guinness surname also holds a significant place in Irish mythology, as the name can be associated with several important ancient stories. These stories emphasize the importance of honour and loyalty, as well as the risks associated with overreaching ambition and the consequences of breaking trust.

Today, the last name Mc Guinness is found predominantly across Ireland, Scotland, and the British Isles, due to the widespread immigration of Irish and British residents during the 19th century. Although this surname is less common in other parts of the world, it is still possible to find many people who bear the Mc Guinness name, a testament to the strength and importance of the Irish culture and its lasting legacy.

Mc Guinness: Where does the name Mc Guinness come from?

The last name Mc Guinness is a common surname today, particularly in Ireland and the surrounding countries. It is particularly associated with County Donegal, where it first appears in records in the 1500s. The name is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Grabhuinn' which translates as 'son of the Smith', suggesting the first Mc Guinness were in the smithing trade.

Today, the Mc Guinness family name is most frequently seen in Ireland as well as Scotland, England, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. In general, many Mc Guinness descendants have kept close to their roots and can be found living in or near Irish communities, particularly in urban areas such as Dublin and Belfast.

Interestingly, the name has spread further afield as far as South America and Southeast Asia. For example, in Argentina, the Mc Guinness name is common in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Chubut, La Pampa, and Santa Fe. It also appears in many Filipino records even though there is no known connection between the Philippines and the Mc Guinness name.

Searching for people of the Mc Guinness last name is made easier by websites such as MyHeritage and Ancestry.com, which both include searchable databases of family trees. Furthermore, the use of social media and the internet has enabled many of the Mc Guinness descendants around the world to get in touch with each other helping to foster an increasingly strong sense of identity and community.

Variations of the surname Mc Guinness

The surname Mc Guinness is a surname of Irish origin. There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the surname Mc Guinness is Mac Guinness, which is most often seen in Ireland and Scotland. Other variations include MacGinness, MacGinnis, MacGinness, McGinnis, Mcginness, McGinn and McGinnes. In some cases, the surname has also been Anglicized to Ginnis or Ginn.

In addition to these variants, there are some associated surnames that are sometimes used interchangeably. This includes the surname Magenis, MacGance, Maginnis, MacCrannach, MacCrannog, Magennis, and MacGannis. These surnames all have the same root origins as Mc Guinness and can be used in place of it.

The Mc Guinness surname is also sometimes seen in Scotland, where it is more common in curtailed form. In Scotland, the surname is typically seen as ‘Guinness’ or ‘Ginness’. It is important to note that while the Scottish version of the surname does have the same root origin, it is not an exact variant the Mc Guinness surname. It is likely to have evolved from the same source, however.

Overall, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same root origin as Mc Guinness. This includes Mac Guinness, MacGinness, MacGinnis, MacGinness, McGinnis, Mcginness, McGinn, McGinnes, Magenis, MacGance, Maginnis, MacCrannach, MacCrannog, Magennis, and MacGannis. In Scotland, the surname is also sometimes seen as Guinness or Ginness.

Famous people with the name Mc Guinness

• Niall Mc Guinness: Irish radio presenter
• Keith Mc Guinness: Irish former footballer
• Richard Mc Guinness: Irish cartoonist
• Eamon Mc Guinness: Irish former rugby union player
• Dermot Mc Guinness: Irish former diplomat and politician
• John Mc Guinness: English motorcyclist and racing driver
• Esther Mc Guinness: British screenwriter, producer, and actress
• Mark Mc Guinness: Irish former footballer
• Karen Mc Guinness: English former swimming competitor
• Carlos Mc Guinness: Bolivian former footballer

Other surnames

Mc Guinn