Surname McEnnis - Meaning and Origin
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McEnnis: What does the surname McEnnis mean?
The last name McEnnis is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname Mac Aonghusa, and is derived from the personal name Aonghus, which is the Irish form of the name Angus. The name Angus is derived from the Celtic word “ongus,” which means “one strength.” Thus, the name McEnnis is connected to strength.
The name McEnnis in Gaelic symbolizes strength of character, specifically that of a righteous warrior who is not easily discouraged or deterred. It can also be associated with the strength of the human spirit to transcend any adversity or disadvantage.
The McEnnis clan has a long and proud history within the western province of Connacht and is believed to have descended from Conn of the Hundred Battles, whose legendary exploits during the days of King Cormac are well recorded in the Irish annals. The McEnnis clan is also said to have supplied many brave soldiers and adventure-seekers over the centuries who were known for their courage, resiliency, and strong spirit.
Today, the McEnnis name has become synonymous with the character traits of strength and courage. All members of the McEnnis family are encouraged to carry on the proud legacy of their people through cultivating these traits as they pursue their own paths in life.
Order DNA origin analysisMcEnnis: Where does the name McEnnis come from?
The last name McEnnis is most commonly found today in Northern Ireland, which has a long history of Irish migration, primarily to the United States. In Ireland, McEnnis is typically found in the Ulster region, in areas including Donegal, Derry, and Antrim. Outside of Ireland, the surname has spread far and wide, with there being a notable presence of people who bear the name in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and throughout the world.
In the United States, people bearing the McEnnis surname are mainly concentrated on the east coast, in states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. This is likely due to the popularity of Irish immigration to these areas during the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. During this period of time, thousands of Irish immigrants began leaving Ireland in search of better lives and opportunities, many of them seeking refuge in the U.S.
It is also possible to find people with the McEnnis surname in Australia, Canada, and even in South Africa, some of whom are likely descendants of Scottish immigrants who arrived there centuries ago.
In conclusion, the last name McEnnis can be found today in a variety of countries around the world, with the majority of people bearing the name being found in Northern Ireland and throughout the east coast of the United States.
Variations of the surname McEnnis
The surname McEnnis is an Ulster-Irish surname, which is derived from a Gaelic term meaning “son of the champion” or “son of Enne”. The McEnnis spelling of this surname is the most common one, but there are several other variants and spellings.
The most common variant spelling is McInnes, which is found mainly in Scotland. There are also alternative spellings, such as MacEnery, MacInnes, MacEnnery, and MacInnis. Other surnames of the same root have also appeared due to changes over time, such as MacInerney, MacEnerney, MacEnnerney, MacAnnese, and MacInery. The name has also been recorded in North America as Ennis or Ennis McCanney.
Some of the many surnames of the same origin are MacNeill, MacNeilly, MacNeilis, MacNeilish, MacNeelis, MacNeilly, MacNeal, and MacNelly. These alternate spellings and variants of McEnnis originated as a result of spelling variations over time, as well as regional dialect and accent differences.
The surname McEnnis is very common in Northern Ireland, as well as Scotland. However, it is also found in other places around the world due to immigration of people of Irish descent, making it one of the most widespread and common surnames in the world today.
Famous people with the name McEnnis
- Ben McEnnis: professional basketball player
- Joe McEnnis: Provincial politician from Saskatchewan
- Bobby McEnnis: professional hockey player
- Stephen McEnnis: former Ontario Progressive Conservative party leader
- Andrew McEnnis: editor, producer, and writer known for his work on the TV show The West Wing
- Mary McEnnis: English actress
- Barbara McEnnis: award-winning actress
- James McEnnis: Canadian actor
- Andy McEnnis: Scottish actor
- Patrick McEnnis: present-day Irish artist
- Matt McEnnis: musician and composer
- Ryan McEnnis: Major League Soccer player
- Francis McEnnis: former Irish Gaelic football player
- Jill McEnnis: pioneering female mountain climber
- Hannah McEnnis: gold medal-winning competitive swimmer