Surname Mac Quinniff - Meaning and Origin

Mac Quinniff: What does the surname Mac Quinniff mean?

The last name Mac Quinniff is an Irish surname that has origins from the Clan Mac Con Uí Fíochaidh, which was part of the Connaught Province of Ireland. The name is also commonly shortened to Mac Coniffe and MacQuiniff. The surname is derived from the personal name Uí Fíochaidh, which translates to “descendant of Fíochaidh”. Fíochaidh is thought to be derived from the Irish word ‘fiach’ which means raven. As such, Mac Quinniff can loosely be translated as meaning “son of the raven”.

The clan Mac Con Uí Fíochaidh had a small territory located between the towns of Ballyhaunis and Kilkelly in County Mayo. It was not a powerful clan and the surname was most likely taken by individuals with no status within Irish society. However, some members of the Mac Quinniff clan became land owners during the 16th century when Henry VIII granted them some property in County Mayo.

The surname Mac Quinniff remains in use today throughout Ireland and overseas, particularly in counties such as Galway and Mayo. It serves as a reminder of the clan’s strong presence in the region and is seen as a source of pride by its many descendants.

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

Mac Quinniff is believed to be an Irish surname originating from the Northern region of the country. It is not overly common today; however, there are some pockets of population that boast a significant number of individuals bearing this surname. Some of these areas include countries in Europe such as the United Kingdom and Ireland, and Australia and New Zealand in the Oceania region.

In the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland, Mac Quinniff has a strong presence, with nearly 700 families listed according to the 1881 census of Scotland. Meanwhile, Ireland is also home to a significant population of Mac Quinniff families, particularly in the counties of Monaghan, Fermanagh, Sligo, Mayo and Donegal.

Another sizable pocket of Mac Quinniff families is to be found in the state of Victoria, Australia, where the surname was mostly common to the Gold Rush era immigrants of the late 19th century.

Modern day Mac Quinniffs may also be found scattered throughout other countries around the globe, including Canada, the United States and parts of Europe such as France, Spain and Germany. As such, the total population of individuals bearing the surname Mac Quinniff would be difficult to estimate, but it would be safe to say that it is not particularly common.

Variations of the surname Mac Quinniff

Mac Quinniff is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name Ó Coinnfhaolaidh. The surname is commonly found within the province of Ulster in Ireland. It is most commonly spelt as Mac Quinniff, but there are other variants and spellings which can be used to trace family roots and genealogy. Variants of Mac Quinniff include MacQuinniff, MacQuiniff, McKeniff, MacQuin, Quiniff, and MacKinniff.

In early times of Irish history, people often had multiple versions of their surnames, particularly when they had to use them in documents in English or Latin, as both languages used different conventions for spelling. Therefore, some families may have used different spellings of their surname depending on the language being used, as well as other dialectal variation.

The surname Mac Quinniff is often associated with other surnames which sound similar, such as Quinlan, McKeon, McAniff, and McKee. However, these surnames are not interchangeable with Mac Quinniff as they have separate origins.

The Irish families of Mac Quinniff typically have their roots in Counties Antrim, Donegal, and Derry. Early migration records note the presence of these families both in Ireland and the United Kingdom, occasionally spelling the name as "MacQuiniff" or "McKinniff".

In some instances, the surname was translated, particularly when immigrants moved from Ireland to the US. In these instances, the surname may be found in records as Gillen, Collins, or Quinn.

In conclusion, Mac Quinniff is an Irish surname typically found in Ulster, with alternative spellings such as MacQuinniff, MacQuiniff, and MacKinniff. It is associated with other similar-sounding surnames such as Quinlan, McKeon, McAniff, and McKee, but these surnames have separate origins. The surname was also translated upon migration in some instances resulting in variations such as Gillen, Collins, and Quinn.

Famous people with the name Mac Quinniff

• Mickey Quinn-Mac, a professional soccer player from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• John Mac Quinniff, an American painter, illustrator and art director.
• Maeve Mac Quinniff, an Irish actress best known for starring in the television series ‘Raw’.
• Finley Mac Quinniff, an American YouTuber and social media influencer.
• Zack Mac Quinniff, an American musician and songwriter.
• Sheila Mac Quinniff, an American costume designer, best known for her work on the sitcom 'Roseanne'.
• Kevin Mac Quinniff, an American professional basketball player.
• Patrick Mac Quinniff, an Irish actor best known for his role in the musical 'Billy Elliot'.
• Naomi Mac Quinniff, an American fashion model.
• Frank Mac Quinniff, an American film producer, director and editor.

Other surnames

Mac Quinn