Surname Mc Gwin - Meaning and Origin

Mc Gwin: What does the surname Mc Gwin mean?

The last name Mc Gwin is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic words “Mac”, meaning “son of”, and “Gobha”, meaning “blacksmith”. This surname was given to someone who descended from an ancestor who was a blacksmith or ironsmith, or who held that profession.

Mc Gwin is a variant spelling of the popular name McGowan. Historically, this surname was found primarily in counties of Ulster and Leinster in Ireland. Today, it is found most commonly in Scotland, but is also seen throughout Britain. Additionally, the name is scattered throughout the centuries in records across many countries including Australia, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.

Interestingly, Mc Gwin is the anglicised spelling of McGowan, a surname found in Northern Ireland, Scotland and in the English-speaking countries which were colonized by the British, such as South Africa. This variant spelling originated in Scotland.

The current population of individuals bearing the last name Mc Gwin is estimated at approximately 8,300 in the United Kingdom. It is a single name study surname with regional spelling variations.

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

The last name Mc Gwin is most commonly found in Southern United States, especially in the Appalachian region. It is thought to be of Scotch-Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic names Mac or Mac GioFhin. The name is found today in the states of North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee.

The popularity of the last name Mc Gwin in the United States first began in the 1800s as many Irish immigrants moved to Southern states searching for employment and a new life away from political and religious persecution. Relatively few Mc Gwin families were found in the records from the U.S. census of that time, though records suggest that a few hundred individuals of this name had settled in the United States.

In the present day, records from the Social Security Administration indicate that the number of Americans with this last name has diminished somewhat. The number of Mc Gwin's living in the United States now is estimated to be around 400, with most having roots in the Southern United States.

It is common that those with the last name Mc Gwin or any other descendent of the original Scotch-Irish immigrants have retained their Scots-Irish traditions, even in the present day. Since the 1800s, many of these last names have spread beyond the original states and can now be found in California, Arizona, Nevada, and even Hawaii.

Overall, the popularity of the last name Mc Gwin has declined in the past and remains relatively low, especially compared to other last names with young Scotch-Irish origins. This is likely due largely to the passage of time and relocation of Mc Gwin families throughout the United States since the 19th century.

Variations of the surname Mc Gwin

McGwin, or MacGwin, is an Irish surname of Norman origin. It is derived from the Norman personal name "Magwin," or "Mac Gwinne," which combines the Gaelic prefix "mac" meaning "son of" with the name "Gwinne," derived from the Anglo-Norman "Winne,"meaning "happy."

McGwin is the most common variant of the name. Other spellings include MacGwin, McGwinn, Magwin, McKwin, McQuinn, McQuin, McKeon, McKeen, McKown, McCown, MacQueen, Magoon, and Maguir.

The Scottish version of the name is McGhie, which is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Aodha," meaning "the son of Aodh;" Aodh being a Celtic god or a common personal name in Scotland, commonly Anglicized to Hugh. McGwire is another Scottish variant of the name, derived from the Gaelic term "Mac Uidhir," meaning "the son of Odhar" or "the son of Uidhir."

Surnames of similar origin to McGwin include Gwin, McKenney, Guiney, Gwinne, Gwinnett, Winn, Mack, Quinn, McQuin, McGinley, McQueen, McKwn, MacCheyne, McKeon, MacCoin, MacWin, McWhinney, McKinnell, Maginn, McGinnis, McKeen, and McKinnon.

Overall, the origin and spelling of the surname McGwin can vary greatly between different countries of origin and regions within those countries. Some variations of the surname have become Anglicized over the years, while others retained more of a Gaelic influence. Despite its many variations, the surname is of Irish and Scottish origin, and has always been used to denote a person who is the "son of Gwinne."

Famous people with the name Mc Gwin

• Mike McGwin: American basketball player
• Thomas McGwin: A professional Genealogist and Author
• Jeff McGwin: Former NFL player
• Gordon McGwin: Longtime Chartered Accountant and one-time university professor
• Joseph McGwin: American Colonel and Medal of Honor recipient
• Ed McGwin: Former NFL Player
• John McGwin: One-time Mayor of San Antonio, Texas
• David Mcgwin: Retired American football guard
• Patrick McGwin: Former San Francisco Bay Area broadcasting executive
• Bob Mcgwin: Founding member of the band Little Feat

Other surnames

Mc Gwinn