Surname MacCain - Meaning and Origin
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MacCain: What does the surname MacCain mean?
The surname MacCain is of Scottish origin and primarily found in Northern Ireland and Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Catháin," which means "son of Cathán." The name Cathán itself is composed of the elements "cath" meaning "battle" and the diminutive suffix "-án." Thus, the entire name can be interpreted as "son of the little battler or warrior." It is also assumed to be a branch of the great Clan MacDonald, as they migrated to northern parts of Ireland during the plantation period in Ireland during the 17th century. Like many surnames, variations of the name exist, including Cain, McCain, O'Kane, Kane, and others. Therefore, individuals with the last name MacCain or any of its variants could be descendant of a little warrior or battler belonging to Clan MacDonald.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCain: Where does the name MacCain come from?
The surname MacCain is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Cathán" which means "warrior" or "battler". The Gaelic prefix "Mac" signifies "son of" hence, MacCain means "son of the warrior". Over the centuries, the spelling of the name evolved in various forms, with some variants including MacCane, McCain, MacEan, and others.
This last name was traditionally associated with clans and families inhabiting areas in north and west Scotland, as well as in Northern Ireland, specifically in County Antrim. Each region had separate lineages, although all shared the basic derivations of the name.
Today, the surname MacCain, and its different variants, are found in many parts of the English-speaking world, but it is still more common in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Also, due to historical mass migrations, it has a significant presence in countries like United States, Canada, and Australia. It has been made more familiar in recent years by notable figures such as the late U.S. Senator John McCain.
Variations of the surname MacCain
The surname MacCain is of Gaelic origin, primarily found in Ireland and Scotland. It is often associated with the descendants of the ancient Clan MacEanruig, based in Scotland. Variants of the surname MacCain include McCain, MacCane, MacCann, McCann, MacEanruig, MacIan, and MacCan.
Additionally, there are spelling variations due to differences in regions, dialects, and phonetic translations, including M'Kane, McKane, McCane, McKain, and McKean. The prefixes 'Mac' and 'Mc' typically suggest a Scottish or Irish origin and both mean "son of." Therefore, these names could indicate a person is "a son of Cain/Can (possibly referring to an ancestor)."
The surname MacCain may also be found without the 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix, such as in the forms of Cain, Kane, or Kean. Changes in these surnames can also be attributed to various historical factors including migration, anglicization, and even misregistration. Hence, it is not uncommon for the same family to have their surname listed under different spellings in historical documents.
Finally, in some cases, the name may have evolved further into more anglicised forms such as Keane or Caine.
Famous people with the name MacCain
- John McCain: He was an American politician who served as a Senator from Arizona from 1987 until his death in 2018. McCain was the Republican nominee for President in 2008.
- Meghan McCain: Daughter of John McCain, she is an American journalist, author, and television personality. She has been a co-host on the daytime talk show 'The View'.
- Cindy McCain: Widely recognized as the widow of John McCain, she is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and humanitarian.
- Carol McCain: First wife of John McCain, she is a former model and director of the White House Visitors Office during the Reagan administration.
- Jimmy McCain: James Meghan McCain, also known as Jimmy, is the youngest son of late senator John McCain and his first wife, Carol Shepp. These are the most well-recognized individuals with the last name McCain. There may be other less-known persons with the same surname, but these are the ones most frequently cited in the media. It should be noted that the correct spelling is "McCain," not "MacCain."