Surname McGinniss - Meaning and Origin

McGinniss: What does the surname McGinniss mean?

McGinniss is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. The name comes from the Irish Mac Aonghussa, meaning “son of Aonghus”. Aonghus is a Gaelic name derived from the Old Irish elements Aed meaning “fire” and Oengus meaning “one strength”.

The McGinniss surname is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland, but is also seen among those of Irish descent worldwide. There are several different spellings of the surname—McGinnis, McGennis, McGinniss, and Ginnis—all of which can be traced back to the same origin.

The McGinniss clan can be traced back to the Irish province of Ulster, and the town of Limavady in County Derry. Many members of the clan emigrated to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries, and records of McGinniss’s who fought in the American Civil War can be found. Today, the United States has the highest number of people bearing the McGinniss surname.

In addition, the McGinniss clan has been linked to a number of distinguished people throughout history. Famous individuals with the McGinniss name include politician John McGinniss, who served in the United States House of Representatives, and novelist Joe McGinniss, who wrote such works as The Selling of the President and Fatal Vision.

The McGinniss surname, though rooted in Irish history and culture, is connected to many different parts of the world today. Whether in Ireland, the United States, or some other part of the world, those bearing the McGinniss name are part of a proud and longstanding heritage.

McGinniss: Where does the name McGinniss come from?

The last name McGinniss is quite common today, primarily in English-speaking countries. It is most often found in the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

In the United States, the last name McGinniss is found across the country, but it is particularly frequent in the New England states, such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The surname is also common in the Mid-Atlantic states, such as New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

In Ireland, the last name McGinniss is most often associated with County Limerick, particularly the towns of Kilmallock and Bruff. From the 1800s to the mid-1900s, the surname McGinniss was the second most common name in the Bruff parish.

In the United Kingdom, the last name McGinniss is especially common in Northern Ireland, particularly counties Antrim, Derry, and Tyrone.

Regardless of where the surname is found today, the McGinniss clan is proud of their long-life heritage, many of whom are descended from French Huguenot immigrants who made their way to Ireland in the late 1600s. This is evidenced by the presence of the McGinniss Coat of Arms at the National Library of Ireland, proudly displayed from generations past.

Variations of the surname McGinniss

The spelling and surnames of McGinniss are typically derived from the Irish surname MacFhionnghaise, which in turn derives from the name Fionnghas, which means ‘fair-haired’ in Old Irish. Therefore, the most common variants and spellings for McGinniss are MacGinnis, MacGinniss, MacFinnis, and MacFinniss.

The early spellings of McGinniss and its variants were usually spelled as MacFhionnghaise, and this spelling is the most traditional and historically accurate form of McGinniss today. However, due to phonetic spelling and pronunciation changes, common variants of McGinniss include McGennis, McGinnis, McGinnesse, McGinnisses, and Ginness. Less common variants of McGinniss include McMinnus, MacGennis, MacGinnes, MacGinnies, MacKinnis, MacKinniss, MacKenis, MacKennis, MacKinnes, MacKinness, and MacKinness.

There are also many surnames that have similar spellings and origins as McGinniss. Some of these include Maginnis, McGinley, McGuinness, McKenney, MacKee, MacLaine, MacKaney, MacKensie, MacQuinney, MacWhinnie, and MacWinney.

In conclusion, there are many variants and spellings that have been associated with the surname McGinniss. The most common and historically accurate are MacFhionnghaise, MacGinnis, MacGinniss, MacFinnis, MacFinniss, as well as many other variants including McGinnesse, McGennis, McGinnis, and Ginness. Additionally, there are also many other surnames that have similar spellings and origins as McGinniss, such as Maginnis, McGinley, McGuinness, and McKenney.

Famous people with the name McGinniss

• Joe McGinniss: an American nonfiction author, famously known for his book about Sarah Palin, 'The Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin'.
• Thom McGinniss: an American political cartoonist who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1967 for his works published in the Louisville Times.
• Kaitlyn McGinniss: a professional ballet dancer who has performed with prestigious companies, such as New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.
• Donovan McGinniss: an American professional soccer player, playing in the Major League Soccer league for the Austin FC.
• Sarah K. McGinniss: a correspondent for The Bushnell and The Hartford Courant, based in Connecticut.
• Colin McGinniss: an American actor, known for his roles in movies such as 'Father Figures' and 'The Way Way Back'.
• Jonathan McGinniss: a documentary filmmaker most known for his documentaries about nuclear missile silos in the United States.
• Spencer McGinniss: a football coach specializing in offensive strategies and formations.
• Matt McGinniss: the Chief Investment Officer for a leading VC fund in San Francisco.
• Owen McGinniss: a renowned sculptor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known for his larger-than-life portrayals of wild animals.

Other surnames

McGinnis