Surname MacAninch - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacAninch: What does the surname MacAninch mean?
The surname MacAninch is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic forename Mac an Ionaich, which is an Anglicized translation of the Gaelic words meaning “son of the strong one”. This forename was synonymous with powerful warlords, clan leaders, and royalty, and was commonly used by the people of the Highlands in Scotland.
The MacAninch surname has its origins in the Scottish Highlands and is believed to be associated with the ancient kingdom of Dal Riata, ruled by the Clan Donnachaidh, of which the earliest known progenitor of the MacAninch family was a member. The surname’s early recorded history indicates the MacAninch family held an important place in the kingdom and were heavily involved in its politics and militiacentric affairs.
The surname MacAninch is also found in Ireland, however it is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic surname Mac Aonghusa which means ‘son of Angus’. Angus, the sixth century King of Scotland, had a notable presence in Ireland. Because of this, the surname MacAninch is found most commonly in the counties of Antrim and Monaghan.
The surname MacAninch today, is a proud reminder of the family’s proud and noble heritage. It is a recognizable name found around the world, and stands for strength, loyalty, and a strong clan spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAninch: Where does the name MacAninch come from?
The surname MacAninch is thought to originate from Scotland, and can be found predominantly in Scotland and England today. It is also found in parts of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Scotland, the MacAninch name is most common in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. The families in Scotland trace their origins to the Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry, who are said to have adopted the MacAninch surname in the 1500s.
The surname is also found in England, where it is most concentrated in London, along with parts of Oxfordshire, Leicestershire, Herefordshire, and Sussex.
In the United States, MacAninch is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, and Idaho. It is also present in smaller numbers in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Overall, the MacAninch surname is still quite rare, but it is found in adequate numbers for family historians and genealogists to carry out further research.
Variations of the surname MacAninch
The surname MacAninch has a number of different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are MacAninch, MacAneese, Mac Neish, MacEneish, and McInish.
The spelling MacAninch is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Mac Aonghuis, meaning "son of Angus." This was the surname of the original Clan MacAninch, a group of ancient Highland Celtic people who lived in Scotland during the 16th century.
The spelling MacAneese is derived from the Irish Gaelic Mac Aonghusa, with the same meaning as MacAninch. The spelling Mac Neish is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Fhiona which means “son of Fin.” The spelling MacEneish is derived from the predial form Mac Feneis, meaning “son of Fionn.”
Finally, the surname McInish is derived from the Irish Gaelic Mac Innis, meaning "son of Ennis." This surname is a common variant to MacAninch and was likely created by way of dialectical change.
In conclusion, the surname MacAninch has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including MacAneese, Mac Neish, MacEneish, and McInish. Despite slight alterations in spelling, they all have the same roots in the Scottish and Irish Gaelic languages.
Famous people with the name MacAninch
- David MacAninch: Scottish actor most known for his roles in Just Good Friends, The Bill, and Father Ted.
- Walker MacAninch: American actor best known for his roles in Bewitched, The Smurfs, and Three Coins in the Fountain.
- Brad MacAninch: American film composer best known for his scores from movies such as Shadow of the Sword, Lorraine, and Sight Unseen.
- Richard MacAninch: Scottish-American theatre director best known for directing the productions of Private Lives and The Grapes of Wrath.
- Stevie MacAninch: Scottish composer best known for his works in the albums Up and Blog Down.
- Stirling MacAninch: British Coloinal Administrator during the 1920s in the colonies of Aden and Bahrain.
- Colin MacAninch: British actor best known for his roles in Keeping Mum and Glennkill.
- Nancy MacAninch: American songwriter and musician best known for her work in the albums Meltdown and Love Anchor.
- Anna MacAninch: American actress best known for her roles in movies such as The War at Home and Leaves of Grass.
- Margy MacAninch: American contralto singer best known for her arias from opera productions of Tosca and Faust.