Surname Eòin - Meaning and Origin
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Eòin: What does the surname Eòin mean?
The surname Eòin is an ancient Gaelic name derived from the name Iain that originates from a Hebrew name Yochanan meaning ‘God is gracious’.
It is the equivalent to the English name John and is very common in Scotland, Ireland, and Gaelic-speaking countries such as the Isle of Man and Brittany.
The spelling for the name varies from country to country. An example of this is in Scotland, where it is commonly spelled Eòin, but in the Isle of Man is often spelt ‘Eoin’ and in Ireland, it is spelt ‘Eoghan or Eogain’.
Traditionally, people with this surname were associated with transhumance – seasonal pasturing of animals, travelling from the mountains during the summer and to the lowlands during the winter months. This was a common practice in the highlands and characterized by nomadic shepherding.
Those with the surname Eòin, also had the responsiablity of looking after the families' flocks of sheep and cattle during the transhumance period.
The surname is still commonly used today - there are around 60,000 people with the surname Eòin in Scotland and Ireland alone. The highest concentration of the name Eòin is still found in the highlands of Scotland and in the Irish province of Ulster.
Order DNA origin analysisEòin: Where does the name Eòin come from?
The last name Eòin is a Gaelic Irish name believed to have originated in Scotland. Its original form is Iain or Eoin, and the closest modern Gaelic spelling is Eòghann or Eòin. It is one of the most popular names in Ireland, and the Anglicized spelling is most commonly pronounced "OW-in", although pronunciation may vary depending on the local dialect.
The last name Eòin is most common today in Ireland and Scotland, and is also found in Canada, the United States, Australia, and other countries where Scots-Irish immigrants settled. In Scotland, the most common spelling of the name is John or the phonetic spelling of Eun, although the Gaelic spelling is still popular in many areas.
On top of being one of the most popular surnames in Ireland and Scotland, the last name Eòin is also the second most common surname in the Isle of Man, where residents are of mainly Celtic descent. In Canada, the name has been anglicized to Evan, and the last name is found among the descendants of French settlers who arrived in the Maritimes in the 1600s.
The last name has also been popular among Scandinavian immigrants, particularly in Sweden, as the name was borrowed from the Gaelic form of John. In the United States, the name is more commonly spelled Evan or Ewan, but Gaelic variants are still found among Irish-American families.
All in all, the last name Eòin is a very commonly used name throughout the English-speaking world, with particularly high numbers in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.
Variations of the surname Eòin
The surname Eòin is derived from the Old Irish personal name Eógain which is a modern interpretation of the early Irish Gaelic name Echdach. It is thought to have come from the Gaelic element “ech”, meaning “horse”. It is also linked to the Latin name Eugenius, which means “well-born”.
Eòin is the modern Scottish and Irish version of the name, while in England it can be spelled Eoin or Owain. Common alternative spellings in Scottish and Irish may include Eoghan or Eogain, and in Manx the spelling is Yoan or Eoin.
The surname is also known as Owens or McOwen in Ireland, and MacEoin, McEwan or McEwen in Scotland, depending on location and dialect. Other spellings of the same Gaelic surname include McKeon, MacKeon, or MacKeown.
The surname and its variants are common in England, Scotland, Ireland, and especially in the Northwest of Ireland which is the area where it originated. It is also found in other countries where Irish immigration has led to widespread use of the surname, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada.
Famous people with the name Eòin
- Eòin MacNeill: Irish republican, Gaelic scholar, and revolutionary who played a prominent role in the Irish Civil War of 1922–1923
- Eòin Cameron: Scottish actor and singer best known for his role as Lachlan in High Road
- Eòin Doyle: Irish footballer who has represented both his country and club at international and domestic levels
- Eòin McGrai: Scottish painter, sculptor, and installation artist
- Eòin Bradley: Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Derry GAA county team
- Eòin O’Gara: Retired Irish rugby union player who represented Munster, Leinster, and Ireland
- Eòin McManus: Irish singer-songwriter and musician
- Eòin O’Sullivan: Irish academic, broadcaster, and writer
- Eòin Powel: Singer and founder of the Irish indie rock band The Dots
- Eòin Ferrious: Drummer and backing vocalist for the Irish post rock band Bell X1
Other surnames
Comments or additions to the name "Eòin"
15.08.2024
There is no accent on the "o" in Eoin in Ireland. There is no backslanted accent in the Irish language (equivalent of the French acute accent).