Surname MacAnawe - Meaning and Origin
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MacAnawe: What does the surname MacAnawe mean?
The last name MacAnawe is derived from the Irish Gaelic surname Mac an Bháird, which translates to “son of the bard”. This surname and its variations are typically associated with the families from the West of Ireland, particularly in County Roscommon, County Leitrim, and County Sligo.
Within Irish folklore, the term “bard” is used to refer to poets who practiced the oral tradition of poetic composition and storytelling. The bards were learned individuals, highly respected in pre-literate society for their knowledge of history, genealogy, and the Irish language. As such, the descendants of the bard were afforded a privileged status in the community.
The MacAnawe family is thought to have descended from these bard families, many of them sharing direct ties to some of the most famous providers of Irish literature. Despite the passing of centuries, the oral tradition of the bards is still propagated in the Irish culture, with storytellers and spoken word artists still performing the work of their ancestors.
In modern times, the MacAnawe name remains an embodiment of a proud legacy of creativity and craftsmanship that gives a cherished insight into the culture and history of Celtic Ireland. It is a legacy of which the descendants can be rightly proud, enabling them to carry on a tradition as ancient and influential as the bards of old.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAnawe: Where does the name MacAnawe come from?
The surname MacAnawe is mainly found in Ireland and Scotland today. The original form of this Common Irish last name was Mac an Aba, or ‘son of the abbot’. The term Mac, which means ‘son of’, is generally used for surnames that are derived from patronymic names.
The MacAnawe surname appears to have originated in the Kingdom of Uí Maine, a kingdom that once existed in south-east Galway and south-east Roscommon in what is now Ireland. This was the ancestral homeland of the O’ Kelly clan, and the MacAnawe surname is thought to originate from this same region.
The MacAnawe surname is most common in what is today the counties of Galway, Roscommon, Mayo, Clare, Kerry, and Limerick. It is also found in other parts of Ireland, such as Dublin, Tipperary, and Cavan.
MacAnawe is less common in Scotland, where it is mainly found in the Highland regions. This surname was brought to Scotland by Irish settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the United States, the MacAnawe surname is also found in some states, particularly in places where Irish immigrants settled, such as Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. In fact, MacAnawe is listed as the 4,444th most common surname in the United States today.
Overall, the MacAnawe surname is mainly found in Ireland and Scotland today, but can also be found in other places around the world where Irish immigrants have settled, such as the United States.
Variations of the surname MacAnawe
MacAnawe is a variant spelling of the surname MacAnvee, which is derived from the Gaelic “Mac an Bháidh,” meaning “son of the boatman.” It is likely derived from a nickname for a seafaring ancestor. It is a sept of the McDonagh clan, which is also commonly associated with the name.
Variations and alternative spellings of the surname MacAnawe include MacAnvie, MacConaway, MacAnvye, MacAnay, MacAnavay, McAnawe, McAnnawe, McAnvay, McAnnay, McCannivee, McCannay, MacAnwe, MacAnvye, McAnnvee, McAnnvye, McAnvwe, McAnnwe, McInnavy, Mecanawe, Mecanvye, and Meconowe.
Surnames of the same origin include MacDonagh, which is derived from “donnachadh,” meaning “chieftain,” and MacCoy, which is derived from “mac Oideach” meaning “son of the teacher”. Mac Donnell, derived from “Dónall” meaning “world ruler,” MacNeil, derived from “Niall” meaning “champion,” and MacLoughlin, derived from “Lochnmhuire” meaning “lord of the lake” are other surnames of the same origin.
MacAnawe is not a particularly common surname, but it is still seen in parts of Ireland. Those with the surname are likely descendants of the McDonagh clan and share an ancestral heritage.
Famous people with the name MacAnawe
- John McAnawe: John McAnawe is an American actor and film producer who has appeared in films such as Grosse Point Blank, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, and The Mask.
- Connie McAnawe: Connie McAnawe is a Canadian playwright and director, who is known for her plays Asylum and Eye of the Parrot.
- Karen McAnawe: Karen McAnawe is an Irish-American actress who has appeared in films such as Con Air and The Last Boy Scout.
- Rowan McAnawe: Rowan McAnawe is a British stand-up comedian who has been featured on TV shows such as Mock the Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
- Kay McAnawe: Kay McAnawe is an American singer-songwriter, who is best known for her songs “Stay with Me” and “Fool That I Am.”
- Liam McAnawe: Liam McAnawe is an Australian actor and model who has appeared in films such as The Matrix Reloaded and Knowing.
- Shane McAnawe: Shane McAnawe is an American sports broadcaster and former professional basketball player, who is best known for his time spent playing in the NBA.
- Leo McAnawe: Leo McAnawe is an Irish-American comic book writer and artist, who is best known for his work on the comic book series X-Men.
- Rose McAnawe: Rose McAnawe is a British television and radio presenter, who is best known for hosting BBC’s The One Show.