Surname Mac Guynn - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Guynn: What does the surname Mac Guynn mean?
The last name Mac Guynn is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Eochagain, meaning “son of Eochagain”. The name is derived from the Gaelic personal name Eochaidh, which is a combination of two former Irish names: eochaidh meaning “horseman”, and guinn meaning “noble”. Eochaidh was also a popular name in the Middle Ages, and was often given to the highest ranking members of the Gaelic clans. The name MacEochagain is commonly associated with areas of Ireland that include County Donegal, County Derry, County Tyrone, County Monaghan, and Counties Cork and Limerick.
The Mac Guynn name has its roots in Gaelic culture and is among a long history of other Gaelic-Irish names. The use of the name MacGuynn first started in Ireland in the early 1750s, when it was recorded as a surname in records of several of the provinces in the country. It spread throughout Ireland and Scotland and is now common throughout the UK, Canada, USA, Australia and many other countries.
The name Mac Guynn may have traditionally been attributed to a horseman or noble, but over time as families took the name, it developed into the many variants of the name. The spelling can alternate from MacEochagain to MacGuynn and other variations. It can also be found spelt in other forms such as MacOwens, MacOwens, MacGuyne, and MacGouin. The name Mac Guynn may have begun as a traditional Gaelic name, but over the years it has become a popular family name throughout the world, with its origins still recognisable to some today.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Guynn: Where does the name Mac Guynn come from?
The surname Mac Guynn is most often found in Ireland and Scotland and amongst descendants of Irish and Scottish immigrants around the world.
In Ireland, Mac Guynn is found mainly in Ulster, particularly in the counties of Antrim, Down, and Donegal. In Scotland, Mac Guynn can be found, particularly in the east, especially in the county of Angus.
In the United States, the surname Mac Guynn is most common in New England, particularly in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire, and along the Pacific Coast, especially in California. It is also widespread in Ireland's diaspora, with especially high concentrations in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The surname is relatively uncommon elsewhere, but bearers of the name can be found in various countries, including France, the Netherlands, Norwegia, Romania, and Sweden, among others.
It is also possible that the last name Mac Guynn first appeared among immigrants who arrived in the Americas from northern Spain or Portugal, particularly in areas of settlement in the Caribbean and parts of South America where Spanish or Portuguese explorers were active in the 16th and 17th centuries.
In summary, the last name Mac Guynn is mainly associated with Scotland and Ireland, though there are bearers of the name all over the world. It is most common in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and can be found with some frequency in other countries as well.
Variations of the surname Mac Guynn
The spelling and surnames for the same origin of Mac Guynn include Magown, McGoyne, MacGown, MacGoon, and MacGoyne. The variants of Mac Guynn are McGaun, Mac Gawn, and MacGowan.
The surname Mac Guynn derives from the Scottish Gaelic Mac Duinnshléibhe, which translates to 'son of the brown-haired one' or 'son of the prominent one'. Traditionally, Mac Guynn comes from the lands of Argyll. Some of the main branches of the Mac Guynn families originated mainly within the area of Sisterfield.
MacGoyne is the most common spelling variant of Mac Guynn. It was changed from its original spelling of McGuinn around the sixteenth century. The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic root that means to be “noble or proud”. This variant is more commonly found in Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland.
Magown and Macgown are both alternative spellings of Mac Guynn. The source of this spelling is also from Scotland. It was changed to Magown and Macgown during the seventeenth century after British colonization.
MacGowan is an old variant of the surname. It has been in use since the twelfth century. The source of MacGowan is also from Scotland and Northern Ireland. This variant is usually spelt either with or without a hyphen.
McGaun is a variant form that comes from the Gaelic word MacGainn, meaning “son of the shaggy one” or “son of the smith”. The source of McGaun is also Scotland, more specifically the Inner Hebrides. This variant is rarely found in current usage due to its ancient roots.
Famous people with the name Mac Guynn
- B. J. Mac Guynn: Members of the British Federation Investment Group, and an independent consultant at Mac Guynn Associates.
- John Mac Guynn: American football player who played for the New York Jets from 1972 to 1976.
- Patrick Mac Guynn: Former manager of the Welsh Rugby Union's national team.
- Rosalie Mac Guynn: American actress whose career spanned more than three decades.
- Charles E. Mac Guynn: Former Vice President of Strategic Planning at Eli Lilly and Company.
- Marie Mac Guynn: Professor in Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Vanderbilt Eye Institute.
- Andrew Mac Guynn: Executive Vice President and COO of the Annenberg Foundation.
- Mary Mac Guynn: Actress who has appeared in various stage and television productions.
- Jennifer Mac Guynn: Vice President of Production and Development at 20th Century Fox.
- William Mac Guynn: Plant biochemist and professor at the California Institute of Technology.