Surname Mac Cann - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Cann: What does the surname Mac Cann mean?
The last name Mac Cann is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cana," which means "son of Cana." The name Cana itself is believed to be associated with the meaning "wolf cub." Therefore, the surname is often interpreted as "son of the wolf cub." Like many other Irish surnames, it originally served to denote familial relationships before becoming a family name passed down generationally. Also, similar to many Gaelic names, variations in spelling can be found, including McCann, MacCann, and others. The Mac Cann family originally came from the southeast of County Armagh, a region in Northern Ireland, but has since spread out across the world through Irish diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Cann: Where does the name Mac Cann come from?
The surname Mac Cann is of Irish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cana," meaning "son of Cana." The name Cana is believed to signify a young wolf cub, hence Mac Cann may be interpreted as "son of the young wolf", linking to Celtic symbolism where the wolf is associated with great learning and wisdom.
The Mac Cann family was a powerful sept (division of a tribe) in medieval Ireland, particularly in the regions of County Tyrone and County Armagh in Northern Ireland. The chief of the sept was the lord of Clanbrassil, an extensive district around what is now Lurgan.
Today, the name Mac Cann (sometimes anglicised to McCann) remains common in Northern Ireland, particularly in counties Tyrone and Armagh. It is also found throughout the Republic of Ireland, in Irish diaspora populations around the world, particularly in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand due to immigration during and after the Irish Famine in the mid-19th century. Migrating family members have adapted the name over time, leading to variants such as McCann, MacCan, McCanna, and others.
Variations of the surname Mac Cann
The surname Mac Cann is of Irish origin and is also often spelled as McCann, MacCann, or M'Cann. These variants are a result of anglicization and may be derived from the Gaelic name Mac Cana, meaning "son of Cana". The name Cana itself suggests a meaning of "wolf cub".
The last name McCann has numerous other variants, such as MacCan, MacKan, MacKane, McCane, MacCane, and sometimes, though less commonly, M'Kean, M'Kain, or M'Keane. The placement of the apostrophe, the usage of 'K' instead of 'C', or the addition of āeā at the end, are simply a result of different phonetic interpretations over the years and regions.
There are also patronymic forms of these names, meaning they denote descent from a named ancestor. Examples include O'Cann, O'Cane, O'Kane, or O'Kean, with the "O'" prefix meaning "descendant of".
McCanna, MacCanna, M'Canna, and similar variants are less common but do also exist. However, it's important to note that despite spelling similarities, not all similarly spelled names necessarily share the same roots or origins, as they could come from different languages or cultures.
Famous people with the name Mac Cann
- Colum McCann: An Irish writer of literary fiction, known for his novels "Let the Great World Spin" and "TransAtlantic".
- Katie McCann: A popular actress known for her roles in "Game of Thrones" and "Penny Dreadful".
- John McCann: A notable Irish playwright and author.
- Kirsten McCann: South African light weight rower who has won several world championships.
- Erin McCann: An award-winning journalist who specializes in digital strategy and interactive storytelling.
- Eoghan McCann: An Irish actor who is currently making his name in the film industry.
- Ron McCann: A former Canadian ice hockey player who played in the NHL during the 1960s and 1970s.
- JP McCann: A renowned visual artist based in Los Angeles.
- Barney McCann: An Irish rugby union player.
- George McCann: An American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1940s and 1950s. Please note that the spelling may vary between 'MacCann', 'McCann', 'Mac Cann' and 'Mc Cann' depending on regional differences and personal preferences.