Surname MacCanna - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCanna: What does the surname MacCanna mean?
The surname MacCanna is an Anglicised form of the Irish surname MacCionnaith, which comes from the Gaelic word 'mac' meaning 'son', 'cionn' meaning 'respect, dignity, pride' and 'aith' meaning 'fire'. The surname is derived from the hereditary Gaelic Ui Cionnaith clan, originating in County Offaly in the midlands of Ireland and now found mainly in the counties of Galway and Mayo.
The literal translation of MacCanna has led to many people to view the surname with a sense of strength, dignity and honour. It is a common surname, representing an old but still important part of Irish culture and heritage. Many MacCanna families still reside in Ireland, and the name is carried proudly by its descendants in the United States, Canada and other parts of the world.
The MacCanna family name is unique in that, aside from being used to represent a prominent Irish clan, it is also a reminder of the important role that family and ancestry played in Irish societal life. The code of honour which the MacCanna name stands for is still apparent today in the sense of pride which MacCanna families have in both themselves and their heritage. This honour is reflected in the many stories handed down through the generations, as well as the clan's signature motto: “Faithful to God and True to All.”
Order DNA origin analysisMacCanna: Where does the name MacCanna come from?
The last name MacCanna is most common in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland today. It is classified as a sept within the Scottish Clan MacKenzie.
The Clan MacKenzie found a lot of success in Scotland and many of their branches grew to become their own clans over the years. MacCanna is one of those branches, and it has grown to become a fairly common last name in Ireland and Scotland.
In Ireland, the surname MacCanna is most common in the province of Connacht, particularly in the counties of Mayo and Galway. Northern Ireland shares many links to Irish surnames, so it’s likely that MacCanna is fairly common there as well.
In Scotland, the name is also quite popular and is found in many areas, including Inverness, Glasgow, and the Highlands. Beyond Ireland and Scotland, the name is also found in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. The United States is home to many Irish immigrants, some of whom carried the MacCanna surname with them.
Much like many surnames, the exact origin of the MacCanna name is unknown. However, it’s believed to be derived from the Gaelic words “mac” and “canna”, which mean “son of Canna”. Canna itself may refer to a place or to a personal name, though there is no definitive proof of either.
Variations of the surname MacCanna
The surname MacCanna is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic surname Mac Fhionghain. Other variants of the surname MacCanna include MacCann, MacCanne, MacCannan, MacCauan, McCaughan and McCaughin, to name a few.
MacCanna is derived from the Gaelic phrase ‘mac fhionnghain’, meaning ‘son of the fair-haired one.’ This Gaelic surname is found most commonly in Connacht and especially in Mayo and Galway. It is part of the O’Kelly clan and was brought to Ireland by the descendants of the original Cenél nEógain settlers who arrived from Scotland.
Outside Ireland, the MacCanna name is prevalent in America, England, Scotland and Australia. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found with the spelling of McCaughan. In the United Kingdom, the most popular variants of MacCanna are MacCannan and MacCawa. In Australia, the surname is more commonly spelled as MacFhionghain.
Notably, the surname has been adopted by several famous individuals, including actors Jimmy McCaughan and Crystal McCughan, business executive Umberto MacCanna and politician Colin MacCanna.
Famous people with the name MacCanna
- Tara MacCanna: Irish actress best known for her roles in films such as Spectre and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 1.
- Donal MacCanna: Irish-born film composer and production music composer, best known for his work with director John Boorman on films such as Deliverance and Excalibur.
- Finlay MacCanna: Scottish actor, best known for his roles in the television series Highlander: The Series and the film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
- Paul MacCanna: British-born animator and visual effects artist who has contributed to acclaimed films such as Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
- Pierce MacCanna: A Canadian film director and screenwriter, best known for his work on the critically acclaimed film The Brood.
- Eimear MacCanna: Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, best known for her solo work, as well as her collaborations with renowned artists and producers including Coldplay, David Guetta and Calvin Harris.
- Jamie MacCanna: British filmmaker, credited with writing and directing the critically acclaimed independent drama Redemption.
- Siobhán MacCanna: Irish actress and model, best known for her roles in the television series The Tudors and Game of Thrones.
- Sarah MacCanna: Australian actress and model, best known for her roles in the films The Night Train and The Last Supper.
- Eoin MacCanna: Irish actor primarily known for his roles in television series such as Vikings, Quirke, and The Fall.