Surname Mac Gwynn - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Gwynn: What does the surname Mac Gwynn mean?
The last name Mac Gwynn is an Irish patronymic surname that can be derived from the Irish Gaelic Mac Gwynddin. The surname is thought to have originated in a now lost place in County Kerry (or possibly in County Galway), and is thought to mean "son of Gwynn". Gwynn is an old Celtic name which means "fair" or "white".
Mac Gwynn is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland, although it is also found in other countries around the world including the United States. It is most common in counties Galway and Kerry, although it can be found throughout the island.
The name Mac Gwynn is a testament to the long standing traditions of both countries, and is associated with an ancient Irish tradition of being descended from the kings of Ireland and Scotland. Mac Gwynn's were leaders and warriors during the height of Celtic Ireland, and today the name still stands as a reminder of a proud and noble heritage.
Mac Gwynn is still relatively popular as a last name today, and is a reminder of a long forgotten heritage. The name represents the strength and courage of the people who carried it, and continues to be a reminder of the hardiness and proud spirit of the people of Ireland and Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Gwynn: Where does the name Mac Gwynn come from?
The last name Mac Gwynn is commonly found in Ireland. As with most Irish surnames, the original origin of Mac Gwynn is uncertain. Historical records found in Ireland often unknown due to the destruction of documents during the English Invasion of Ireland. As such, it is believed the name could have originated with Irish Gaelic roots. It is also believed to be a derivative of the Welsh surname, Gwynn.
Mac Gwynn is a relatively rare name, but families exist throughout the country. It often appears in counties such as Donegal, Monaghan, Galway, Mayo, and Cork.
The Mac Gwynn name has spread outside of Ireland to many other countries. In Scotland, for instance, there are a few families that bear the name. The name also appears in Canada, the United States, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
For the most part, however, the name is concentrated in Ireland. There are quite a few Mac Gwynns of Irish-Catholic heritage in Ireland, many of whom are connected through intermarriage or common ancestries.
Since Ireland is such a small country, many of those with the Mac Gwynn surname are related in some way. Even today, the name is a strong indicator of Irish heritage or lineage.
Variations of the surname Mac Gwynn
The surname Mac Gwynn is a Scottish and Irish name derived from the Gaelic Mac Guinness, meaning son of excellence. Several variations of the name exist, reflecting its Celtic roots as well as various Anglicisations throughout the centuries.
The most common variants are Gwynn, Gwinn, Gwin and Gwinne, although there are many other slight variations. Mc Gwynn, Mac Gwinne, MacGuinn, MacGwinn, Mackgwin, MacGwyn, MacGwene, MacGwinn, MacGuinne, MacGuin, MacGwin, MacGwine, MacGwyne, Maginn, McGuin and McGwine are all found in records from various regions of the United Kingdom.
The original Gaelic Irish surnames Mag Fhionnghuine and Mag Fhinnghuin have been Anglicised to the forms MacGwinne, MacGwine, MacGwyne, MacGwynn and MacGwinn. Many of the variants are also found in Scotland and Ireland, reflecting their cultural and geographical connections.
The surnames Mac Ewen, MacEwen,McEwen, MacEuin and MacEwing are also derived from Mac Gwynn, stemming from the Scottish form of Mac Dhuinnshlèibhe (son of Duncan).
MacGwynn remains a popular surname in Scotland, Ireland and many other English-speaking countries today, although the original Gaelic roots have since been forgotten.
Famous people with the name Mac Gwynn
- Tony Gwynn: American baseball player who played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball. He was an eight-time National League batting champion who hit .338 for his career and had 3,141 hits.
- Chris Gwynn: Former Major League Baseball left fielder who played from 1987 to 1998. He is the brother of Tony Gwynn.
- Jamie Gwynn: American softball player who was a three-time All-American at San Diego State. She holds the career home run record and the single season record for the most home runs and runs batted in.
- Gavin Mac Gwynn: Managed operations for The Paul & Anne Glazer Family Foundation—a major philanthropic organization in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in California.
- Mack Gwynn: Missing kayaker who inspired the creation of a mural in North Carolina.
- Ryan Mac Gwynn: Senior executive at Time Inc. in New York.
- Kendall Mac Gwynn: Computer scientist and engineer with over 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry.
- Sam Mac Gwynn: Supervising Engineer at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.
- Donna Mac Gwynn: Professional wildlife photographer and conservationist.
- Gillian Mac Gwynn: Former NFL cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers.