Surname Mac Manus - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Manus: What does the surname Mac Manus mean?
The surname Mac Manus is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Maghnuis" which literally translates to "son of Magnus". Magnus is a Latin name meaning "great". This name was popular in the times of the early Christian church, as it was associated with the Latin word for “great.” Therefore, the surname Mac Manus can be interpreted as "son of the great one". It's worth noting that the spelling of Irish surnames can vary widely, with MacManus, McManus, and M'Manus being some of the common variations. Over time, the surname has traveled and spread out across the world due to migration and diaspora. Despite its Latin origins, the Mac Manus name is strongly associated with Ireland. It is prevalent in the Northern provinces and especially in County Fermanagh.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Manus: Where does the name Mac Manus come from?
The last name Mac Manus is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Maghnuis" meaning "son of Magnus." The name Magnus was popular with the Norsemen, which signifies that the origins of this surname may be traced back to the Viking period of Irish history.
This name is particularly associated with County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, and more broadly within the province of Ulster. The Mac Manus family was a part of the Irish aristocracy until the 17th century when their power was diminished following the confiscation of their lands during the Plantation of Ulster. Parts of the family migrated southwards and are also found in County Roscommon in the province of Connacht.
Today, Mac Manus is still common in Northern Ireland, particularly Fermanagh. Despite emigration and displacements over the centuries, the name is still found in Roscommon and across other parts of Ireland. It’s also prevalent in regions worldwide, where the Irish have settled, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
Variations of the surname Mac Manus
The surname Mac Manus is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Maghnuis," meaning "son of Magnus." The surname has several variant forms, due largely to Anglicization of the original Gaelic name over time and depending on the region.
Some spellings include McManus, McManis, McManuss, MacManus, MacMagnus, and M'Manus. It's worth noting that the prefixes Mac and Mc are interchangeable and both signify "son of."
It was common for surnames to be modified to conform to the phonetic rules of different regions, as well. As a result, the same name could appear quite differently in different records. This could lead to additional variations like Manus, Magnis, or Manis.
Additionally, the surname has been recorded in the Latin form Magnus, reflecting the period when Latin was the norm in legal and church records. So, Magnus could also be considered a variant of the same surname.
It is important to remember that spelling was not standardized until relatively recently; thus, multiple variations of the same name are often found within historical records.
Famous people with the name Mac Manus
- Elvis Costello: Born Declan Patrick MacManus, Costello is a British musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer known for his performances in the new wave genre.
- Conleth Hill: Born Conleth Seamus Eoin Croiston Hill, he is a Northern Irish film, stage, and television actor best known for playing Lord Varys in the HBO series "Game of Thrones".
- Ross MacManus: A British musician and trumpet player, he performed with Joe Loss and His Orchestra. He was also the father of Elvis Costello.
- Fergal MacManus: An accomplished flautist, born in Ireland. He is the brother of Elvis Costello.
- Ronan MacManus: Also a brother of Elvis Costello, he is a musician in his own right, known for being a part of the band BibleCode Sundays.
- Cormac MacManus: Another brother of Elvis Costello, he is also a member of the MacManus musical family.
- Declan MacManus Sr.: The grandfather of Elvis Costello, he was a musician and band leader in the early 20th century.
- Paddy MacManus: An Irish comedian and folk musician, known for his humorous songs and monologues.