Surname McInnis - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Ties That Bind: An Enlightening Journey Through the McInnis Surname via iGENEA DNA Test

Attempting a journey into the hidden nooks of personal genealogy can be an overwhelming task, but my experience with the iGENEA DNA test made this exploration an enriching ride. A step into my surname McInnis’s past not only unwrapped a wealth of knowledge about my heritage but also led to connections with distant family members worldwide.

N. McInnis

McInnis: What does the surname McInnis mean?

The surname McInnis is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Aonghais" which means "son of Angus". Angus itself comes from the old Gaelic word elements "Aonghus" which is a personal name, composed of the elements “one”, meaning excellent or fine, and “gus”, equating to force or strength. Therefore, the surname can be interpreted as "son of the exceptional/strength". The McInnis clan is part of the larger MacDonalds of Clanranald division. They primarily resided in the Hebrides and Lochaber in Scotland. The name has multiple spelling variations including MacInnes, MacInnis, and McAngus, among others.

McInnis: Where does the name McInnis come from?

The last name McInnis, also spelled MacInnes, originates from Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic name "MacAonghais", which means "son of Angus". The Clan MacInnes is an ancient Scottish clan associated with the Inner Hebrides, specifically the islands of Skye and Mull. Significant numbers of the McInnis clan moved to the United States, Canada, and Australia during the 19th century due to the Highland Clearances, an eviction movement in Scotland.

Today, the surname McInnis is most common in places heavily influenced by Scottish immigration, particularly in Nova Scotia, Canada, which has strong historical ties with Scotland. This surname can also be found in the United States and Australia. However, despite dispersal, Scotland continues to have a significant population of people bearing the McInnis surname. In each of these places, various spellings of the name are used, ranging from MacInnis and McInnes, to MacInnes and M'Aonghais, reflecting the diverse history and migration of this clan.

Variations of the surname McInnis

The surname McInnis has various spelling variations and is commonly associated with Scottish heritage. The multiple alterations of the name can be attributed to translation errors over time, as well as changes made by families to differentiate themselves or to assimilate into new cultures.

Among the noteworthy variants of McInnis are McGinnis, MacInnes, MacInnis, MacInness, MacGinnis, McKinnis, MacAngus, McAngus, MacInnis, and McGuinness. There are also other spellings with fewer differences like M'Innes, M'Innis etc.

The surname is of patronymic origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Aonghuis which means 'son of Angus'. Here, ‘Mac’ denotes 'son of' while 'Aonghuis' refers to the personal name Angus. The 'Mc' in McInnis is just a shorter form of 'Mac'. So, surnames starting from both 'Mc' and 'Mac' are likely related to McInnis.

Other related surnames include derivatives from 'Angus' like Innes, Ennis, Ingham, Innis etc. Most of these surnames are greatly present in parts of Scotland, especially within the Hebrides Island and the region of Morvern. Variations of the name have spread worldwide due to emigration, particularly to countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Famous people with the name McInnis

• Pat McInnis, professional Canadian football player
• Mike McInnis, professional Canadian ice hockey player
• David McInnis, professional Canadian actor
• John McInnis, professional landscape painter
• A.J. McInnis, professional football coach
• Amanda McInnis, Emmy Award-winning producer
• Lisa McInnis, professional CBC broadcaster
• Peter McInnis, professional filmmaker
• Saxon McInnis, professional Canadian basketball player
• Chef David McInnis, co-owner of the North 49 restaurant chain

Other surnames

McInnes