Surname Mac Ginnis - Meaning and Origin

Mac Ginnis: What does the surname Mac Ginnis mean?

The last name Mac Ginnis is a Gaelic surname of Irish origin. It is a derivative of the Gaelic Irish personal name “Mac Ginnéis”, which translates to “son of the fair one”. The Mac Ginnis surname is thought to be associated with the famous Scottish warrior clan of the same name, which was known to inhabit the Irish Province of Ulster throughout the middle ages.

The Mac Ginnis surname has been documented as early as the 16th century in Ulster province and was popular during the period of Highland clearance in Scotland and Ireland. During this period, the Mac Ginnis clan were dispersed throughout Ireland and Scotland and the surname became more common.

The Mac Ginnis coat of arms is distinct, with a blue shield containing a red lion over three red stars. It is believed to signify courage and valor, which the Mac Ginnis clan was known for.

The Mac Ginnis surname is still quite widespread today, although most have lost the Gaelic spelling of the name and instead refer to it as “MacGinnis” or “McGinnis”. The surname is still primarily associated with Ireland and Scotland and can be found all across the globe due to the diaspora of the McCGinnis clan in the past few centuries.

Mac Ginnis: Where does the name Mac Ginnis come from?

The surname Mac Ginnis is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland, but can also be found in other locations around the world.

In Scotland, Mac Ginnis is most common in the border regions between Scotland and England, and in the Central Belt. It is also found in some other scattered locations throughout Scotland, including the islands of Lewis, Skye, and the Isle of Mull.

Mac Ginnis is also particularly common in Ireland, where it is most commonly found in the counties of County Mayo and County Galway, as well as some other parts of the country.

In the United States, the Mac Ginnis family can be traced to the colonial period of the 17th century, and many of them settled in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Today, records suggest that the family has spread across the whole country, with particularly large concentrations in states such as New York, California, and Illinois.

The surname Mac Ginnis can also be found in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries around the world due to emigration from Irish and Scottish populations. Records suggest that the surname is particularly common in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but can be found in many other countries due to the global population movements throughout the centuries.

Variations of the surname Mac Ginnis

The surname Mac Ginnis has many different variants, spellings, and even surnames derived from the same origin. Common variants of Mac Ginnis include MacKinnis, Maginnis, McKinnis, McKinniss, Ginn, MacJenness, MacGuinness, MacGenis, and McGillies.

MacGinnis is generally thought to be derived from the ancient Gaelic surname Mac Gil Aonghusa, meaning “son of the sharp wit.” This is most likely why the variant spellings involve altering the name “MacGinnis” to include different prefixes of similar sound (e.g. Maginnis, McKinnis, MacKinnis). The other variants such as MacJenness and McGillies both have the suffix “lis” added on instead of the traditional spelling of “is.”

This surname is likely derived from a family of Scottish Highlanders that was once centric in a specific region known as Argyll and Bute, located in the northwest highlands of Scotland. Today, MacGinnis (and its variations) is pretty common throughout Scotland as well as in North America and Australia.

If you are interested in researching some of the other spellings and surnames related to MacGinnis, you can find more information online. You can look into DNA testing to determine your genetic connection to the Scottish Highlanders and other relatives that share the MacGinnis name. You can also find genealogical records on the internet, as well as other informational websites which might shed some light into the family’s past.

Famous people with the name Mac Ginnis

• Laura MacGinnis: American makeup artist and hair stylist who has worked with a variety of different celebrities, including Zoey Deutch, Olivia Holt, and Sophia Bush.
• Dusty MacGinnis: Professional basketball player in the NBA G-League, formerly with the Texas Legends.
• Mark MacGinnis: Retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Houston Astros.
• Tamara MacGinnis: Television and film actress, most known for her role in the action-drama television series Street Legal.
• Brian MacGinnis: Professional Bodybuilder, as well as former professional ice hockey player.
• Jamie MacGinnis: Author of several books and comic series, including her recent series Amy the Ambitious.
• Riley MacGinnis: American actor and singer, best known for his roles in the television show "www." and the musical "The Misunderstanding."
• Megan MacGinnis: Broadway actress and singer who recently starred as the titular character in the Broadway hit "Dear Evan Hansen."
• Owen MacGinnis: Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his single "Elephant Poem" and his most recent album, "Walking with Strangers."
• Cameron MacGinnis: Professional freestyle skier who recently won gold in the 2021 Winter X Games.

Other surnames

Mac Ginn