Surname McGwen - Meaning and Origin
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McGwen: What does the surname McGwen mean?
The last name McGwen is an anglicized version of the Gaelic language surname Mac Giuibhin, which is derived from the personal name Giobhin. It translates to English as “Son of Gibhin”. This suggests the bearer of the surname was descended from someone who had the given name Giobhin in their family tree.
The Irish tradition of using patronymic surnames, which were derived from the father's name, began in the 11th century. By the 15th century, the use of inherited surnames was commonplace throughout Ireland. The McGwen surname was likely established on the east coast of Ulster province at this time.
The Gaelic meaning of “Son of Gibhin” implies the bearer of the name is from a proud, ancient Irish lineage. This family was likely warriors of an ancient Ulster clan, as many Irish surnames beginning with Mac are associated with clans.
The McGwen surname has evolved into several diverse spellings over the years, including McGowan and McGowen. These variations are believed to have a Gaelic origin, but can also be attributed to translations, misinterpretations, and of course - poor spelling. Despite the variations of spelling, the surname McGwen will always be associated with a proud, ancient Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGwen: Where does the name McGwen come from?
The last name McGwen is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland today. The McGwens are a proud family of Irish ancestry, descending from the ancient Kings of Ulster. In Irish mythology, connecting them to the legendary Fianna, they are known as the Síl Muiredaig, and their name translates to “Sons of Muiredaig”. The McGwen surname is particularly common in the Province of Ulster, particularly in Northern Ireland.
Their proud Gaelic heritage is well known and many McGwens proudly retain their Irish culture, even in the United States where the surname has migrated. People with the McGwen name can be found in many other countries too, including Canada, Australia, and England.
They take their Irish sense of hospitality and friendship very seriously, and community is an important part of the McGwen name. To them, the pie is always bigger when shared with family and friends.
Overall, the last name McGwen is a proud holding of Irish ancestry, with its roots in ancient Ulster. The McGwen clan is still a large and interconnected family, whose members retain their proud Gaelic heritage while also sharing it with the world.
Variations of the surname McGwen
The surname McGwen is believed to be of either Irish or Scottish origin, and can be found spelled in a variety of ways. The most common variants include MacGowan, McGowan, Gowan, Gwen, McGueen, Gwinn, and Guinn. It is important to note that the prefix “Mac” or “Mc” is interchangeable and both can be used to denote the same surname.
McGwen is also believed to have derived from the Gaelic language meaning “son of the smith”. In some instances, the prefix Mac or Mc was used in place of ‘son’ when the name was written. The Gwen portion is thought to mean “of the white”.
The oldest versions of the surname originated soon after the adoption of hereditary surnames in Scotland and Ireland. In Scotland, there are records of the surname dating back to the fifteenth century. These suggest that the surname was most likely created when individuals first became identified by their occupation. Many of the earliest Scottish records make mention of a McGouan family, a port on the east coast of Scotland. This would suggest that this was the name of a family who lived in the area and engaged in the occupation of being a sailor.
Some other variants of the surname include Gowing, McGwing, McGwin, and McEwen. These spellings can be seen in Scotland, as well as in other parts of the world. There are also references to the name being found in England and Wales as well.
In Ireland, there is also mention of the surname ‘Magawin’ or ‘McGawin’. It is not clear if this is related to the McGwen name or simply a variant of it. Additionally, the McGuinness and McMurtry families are believed to have originated from the McGwen surname, suggesting that these families are related.
Overall, the surname McGwen appears to have originated in Ireland and Scotland and can be seen in a variety of spellings and variants. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic language and denote a family who engaged in either the occupation of being a smith or a sailor.
Famous people with the name McGwen
- Owen McGwen: Owen McGwen is an American actor, best known for his role as Todd Carruth in the popular television series, The Wire.
- Scott McGwen: Scott McGwen is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to the WWE. He is also known by his ring name, The Big Show.
- Sophia McGwen: Sophia McGwen is a former American actress, best known for her role as Sunny in the film, The Other Sister.
- Gavin McGwen: Gavin McGwen is an American television producer and director. He has worked on such popular shows as Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother and Mike & Molly.
- Andy Mcgwen: Andy Mcgwen is a British musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his songwriting collaborations with artists such as Ed Sheeran and Anne-Marie.
- Katrina McGwen: Katrina McGwen is an American chef, best known for her appearances on the Food Network's show, Chopped.
- Mike McGwen: Mike McGwen is a former American football player, who played in the NFL for the Houston Oilers.
- Jenny McGwen: Jenny McGwen is an American comedian, best known for her appearances on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
- Morgan McGwen: Morgan McGwen is an American fashion designer, best known for her work with designers such as Freida Kahlo, Jimmy Choo and Thom Browne.
- David McGwen: David McGwen is a British actor, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Warner in the popular BBC drama series, Casualty.