Surname McEoin - Meaning and Origin
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McEoin: What does the surname McEoin mean?
McEoin is a surname of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eóin," which translates to "son of Eoin." The name Eoin itself is the Gaelic form of the name John, which derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious". So in essence, McEoin can be interpreted to mean "son of John" or "son of the gracious God". It is a patronymic name, meaning it carries an ancestral reference or pays homage to a male ancestor - typically the bearer's father. The surname is mostly associated with the counties of Antrim and Donegal in Ireland. Over the years, it has been anglicized to various forms including McKeon, McKean, and McKone. Like many Irish surnames, McEoin is tied to historical and cultural contexts, significantly referencing religious themes and traditional naming practices of the time.
Order DNA origin analysisMcEoin: Where does the name McEoin come from?
McEoin is an Irish surname derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Mac Eoin," which translates to "son of John" in English. The prefix “Mac” generally means "son of," indicating a patronymic origin where the name's bearers are identified through their male lineage. It is a sept, or branch, of the larger and well-known clan MacMahon originating from the Monaghan area.
Today, the surname has a range of variations in spelling due to Anglicization, and these include MacEoin, McKeon, McGean, and others. MacEoin surname can be found in many countries around the world due to the Irish diaspora, the dispersal of Irish people and their descendants across the globe.
The countries where the surname is notably common include Ireland, the original ancestral home of the McEoins. However, due to historical emigration from Ireland, particularly during the period of the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, the surname and its variants are also found in other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Despite this global spread, it is still most commonly found in Ireland.
Variations of the surname McEoin
The surname McEoin is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eoin," which means "son of John." Variants and spellings include McKeon, McKeown, McKewan, McKiernan, McKean, McKain, and McKane. MacEoin and MacKeon are other alternatives that maintain the "Mac" prefix, common in Irish and Scottish surnames.
A few examples for the anglicized versions of this surname include Johnson and Johnston, as these also signify the "son of John."
Moreover, McEoin might have different spelling due to the varying pronunciation across different regions of Ireland, thus names like McEn, Mackin, and Maken could potentially be variants. There's also the less common but potent spelling variant, McOwen.
These variations give evidence to the complex evolution of surnames, demonstrating how they are transformed through generations and migrations. Though many names have the same or similar origins, the changes in spelling and pronunciation have resulted in a multitude of diverse surnames over time.
Famous people with the name McEoin
- Mick McEoin: Former Australian rules football player who played with Fitzroy Football Club from 1982 to 1987.
- Jock McEoin: Australian former professional cyclist, who won the Australian national road race championship in 1933 and 1934.
- Siobhan McEoin: Senior Curator of Australian History at the Australian Museum in Sydney.
- Louise Ní Fhiannachta McEoin: RTE broadcaster and journalist.
- Aoife McEoin: Irish National Hurling League champion, All-Ireland Senior Camogie Champion, and former Gaelic football player.
- Harry McEoin: Academic historian and columnist for The Irish Times.
- Joe McEoin: Former Irish footballer and manager who most notably managed the Republic of Ireland U21 team.
- Hilda McEoin: Canadian artist, known for oil paintings and sculptures.
- Hannah McEoin: Irish American performance artist, dancer, film-maker, theatre director and choreographer.
- Niall McEoin: Former Irish rugby international who represented Ireland from 1979–1985.