Surname Mac Gwyne - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Gwyne: What does the surname Mac Gwyne mean?
The last name Mac Gwyne is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Gueda. This is most likely a derivation of the personal name Gueda, which is believed to have derived from "Gwaed," an ancient Celtic term meaning "blood." The Gaelic Mac Gueda was transposed into the more modern forms of Magwyne and Magwyen when English became the predominant language in Ireland.
The name Mac Gwyne is quite ancient and is among the oldest surnames found in the British Isles. In Ireland, the name is commonly found in the counties of Antrim, Derry, Donegal, Wexford and Cork. This surname is also prevalent in Scotland, where it is most commonly found in the counties of Lanarkshire, County Tyrone, Ayrshire and Fife.
It is believed that the majority of families bearing the surname Mac Gwyne were descendants of the original Irish Gaelic Chieftains, who lived in the northern part of Ireland prior to the Norman invasion. During this time, the clans were united in language, culture, and geography. As the Normans began to subjugate the Irish people, the surname Mac Gwyne emerged with the noble Gaelic chieftains, who defended their people against the invading Normans.
Overall, the surname Mac Gwyne is believed to be of Irish-Gaelic origin. It is thought to have been derived from the personal name Gueda which is derived from the ancient Celtic term “Gwaed” meaning “blood”. The surname is associated with the noble Gaelic chieftains who defended their people against the Normans and is most commonly found in the counties of Antrim, Derry, Donegal, Wexford and Cork.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Gwyne: Where does the name Mac Gwyne come from?
The last name Mac Gwyne is a variant spelling of MacGuineas, an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. The name is said to come from the pre-10th century Gaelic Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe, which translates as "son of Odubhach". The first recorded mention of the name was in 1035 when a Malachi MacGwineas was recorded in County Leitrim, Ireland.
In modern times, the surname Mac Gwyne is primarily found in the UK with a few occurrences in the US. In Scotland it can still be found in its original spelling with its spelling variant of MacGuineas being far less common. The largest numbers of the name are found in the counties of Fermanagh, Donegal, and Antrim in Northern Ireland. It is also to be found in substantial numbers in Scotland in various parts of the country, particularly in the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.
The name has spread to Canada, Australia, and the United States as a result of Irish immigration beginning as early as the 17th century. In the United States it is more commonly found in the southern states of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida, as these were the most popular destinations for Irish immigrants during the 19th century.
The Mac Gwyne surname is not as common today as it once was, but it still has an enduring presence throughout the world. Its origins stretch back many centuries, making it an important reminder of Irish history.
Variations of the surname Mac Gwyne
The surname Mac Gwyne is derived from the Gaelic Mac Fhionghuine, which has been associated with the O'Gowans from County Londonderry. Over time, the name has been modified in a number of ways, including:
Mac Gwyne: This is the original spelling of the name, and is still used in some parts of Ireland, particularly in County Londonderry.
MacGwen: This form is one step removed from the ancestral form, and is used particularly in Scotland.
MacGouin: This is the most common spelling of the name today. It is anglicized from the original form and found mainly in Scotland, although it is occasionally used in other parts of the British Isles as well.
MacGowan: This variant of the name is found mainly in England and Scotland. It is a shortening of MacGouin, and is derived from the Gaelic O'Gowan from County Londonderry.
MacGown: This form is a variation of MacGowan, but it is less common than its predecessor.
Maguin: This spelling of the name is from the original Gaelic form, and is found mainly in Scotland.
Mac Keen: This spelling of the name is derived from the Scottish form, and is most commonly found in the United States. It is sometimes spelled McGeen or MacKeen.
McGown: This variant of the name is derived from MacGowan, and is the most common form of the name in the United States.
MacGowne: This form of the name is also found in the United States, and it is a variation on MacGown.
No matter which of these variants or spellings you find, each one can be traced back to the same origin - the Gaelic Mac Fhionghuine, which was associated with the O'Gowans from County Londonderry.
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