Surname MacCann - Meaning and Origin
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MacCann: What does the surname MacCann mean?
The last name MacCann is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cana," meaning "son of Cana." The term "Cana" is considered a personal byname, signifying "wolf cub". The MacCann family was part of an Irish sept, which is a kinship group, and they were primarily located in County Armagh in the province of Ulster. Despite its specific geographic origins, the name can now be found all over the world due to migration and diaspora. Like many Irish surnames, it has varied spellings, including McCann, MacCana, and more. The emblem of the MacCann clan is a hand holding a scale, symbolizing justice and balance. Overall, the MacCann surname reflects a connection to ancient Irish lineage and history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCann: Where does the name MacCann come from?
The surname MacCann is of Gaelic origin. It comes from the Gaelic "Mac Cana," which means "son of Cana." The name Cana is thought to derive from the word "cano," meaning wolf cub. The MacCann family was a part of a larger collective of families known as Clann Cana.
The MacCanns were a prominent sept (divisions of a family) in Ireland, specifically in the territory of Oriel, which covered areas of the modern counties Armagh and Monaghan. The name MacCann is especially associated with County Armagh. In the medieval period, the MacCanns were renowned as poets and ollavs (learned men) to the O'Hanlon lords of Oriel.
Today, the name MacCann still remains common in Ireland, particularly in the Northern parts where it has its roots. However, due to widespread Irish emigration through decades, the MacCann surname was dispersed worldwide and can especially be found in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Even with variant spellings like McCann, the designations maintain their cultural and historical links to Ireland.
Variations of the surname MacCann
The surname MacCann is of Celtic origin and it stems from the Gaelic Mac Cana, which means 'son of Cana'. Cana itself has two potential meanings: 'wolf cub' or 'young whelp'. This surname typically signals Irish heritage, and is specifically traced to the province of Ulster and County Tyrone.
The surname has various spellings due to phonetic translations over time and geographical locations, leading to many derivations. Some of these include: McCann, MacCana, MacCan, MacCann, MacCanne, MacCanny, M'Cann, Canny, Caney, McCanny, and O'Cann.
It has also been anglicized into different variants such as Cannon, which is often found in County Donegal, and Kane, which is common in Ulster. Some less common spellings include Maccan, McCan, O'Kane, Kain, and McKane.
It's important to remember that misspellings could also have occurred in various documents or census records based on phonetic spellings, so it's essential to consider all variations when researching family history. Additionally, variations can result from translation between languages, as Gaelic names were often 'anglicized' or changed to fit English language and pronunciation.
Famous people with the name MacCann
- Lily MacCann: Professional model and actress
- Paul McCann: Irish Musician
- Rory MacCann: Award-winning documentary filmmaker
- Siobhan MacCann: Irish singer
- Peadar MacCann: Gaelic footballer
- Danny MacCann: English actor
- Deirdre MacCann: Politician from Northern Ireland
- Seán MacCann: Irish politician
- Kevin MacCann: Professional poker player
- Molly MacCann: Traditional Irish musician and singer