Surname Megaw - Meaning and Origin

Megaw: What does the surname Megaw mean?

The surname Megaw is of Scottish origin, thought to be derived from "MacEoghainn", which in Irish Gaelic means "son of Eoghann". The name Eoghann itself is of ancient Celtic origins, potentially meaning "born of the yew tree" although several interpretations exist. Like many surnames, it has evolved over time, appearing in various forms such as Meighan, Meehan, Meegin, and Megaw. It is relatively rare, most frequently found in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Given the etymology of the surname, it is plausible that Megaw was initially used to identify individuals who were descendants of a person named Eoghann. However, today it serves as a family name without reference to its original meaning.

Megaw: Where does the name Megaw come from?

The surname Megaw is of Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic personal name "MacEoghainn," which means "son of Eoghainn." The name has various English spellings due to differences in its Gaelic pronunciation, which include McEwan, MacEwen, McEwen, MacEwan, among others, with Megaw being a variant. It is associated with the historic area of Argyll and Bute on the west coast of Scotland, where the clan MacEwen originally hailed from.

Today, the surname is not highly common, but it is spread among countries where Scottish and Irish people have emigrated over the centuries. In the UK, particularly within Scotland and Northern Ireland, Megaw families can still be found. But it is also present in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Megaw families have also migrated to South Africa during the colonial period. However, it's important to note that the distribution remains relatively small and scattered even in these countries.

Variations of the surname Megaw

The surname Megaw is somewhat unique and isn't widely presented with many different variants or spelling alternatives. It appears to be of Irish origin. There are a few different surnames that could potentially share the same origin, given that they have similar spellings. These include the surnames Megal, Megalhaes, Megale, Megali, Megaly, and Megas.

In terms of spelling variants, possibilities could include M'Gaw, M'Ghaw, M'Guaw, etc., using the M' prefix which is often used in Irish surnames. However, it must be noted that these forms are hypothetical and are rarely seen if used.

Exact spellings for surnames can oftentimes be affected by regional accents, translation errors, and individual variations over time. It must also be noted that the original Irish Gaelic form of the name may be quite different to its anglicised form, which complicates matters further.

Although these variations and surnames could potentially be linked to Megaw, one must keep in mind the complex nature and unique specifics of individual family history, meaning that even surnames which are spelled identically might not share the same origin.

Famous people with the name Megaw

• Anne Megaw: artist and printmaker
• Bronwen Megaw: Australian cricket player
• Chris Megaw: Northern Ireland soccer player
• Charles E. Megaw: professor of chemistry
• David Megaw: artist and sculptor
• Elaine Megaw: British costume designer
• Gordon Megaw: Northern Ireland soccer player
• Jackie Megaw: Northern Ireland cricket player
• Ken Megaw: Canadian hockey player
• Paul Megaw: Northern Ireland soccer player
• Peter Megaw: Northern Ireland soccer player
• Philip J. Megaw: British chemical engineer
• Rachel Megaw: British composer
• Robert Megaw: Northern Ireland soccer player
• Sinclair Megaw: British politician
• William Megaw: British tennis player

Other surnames

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