Surname MacCannon - Meaning and Origin
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MacCannon: What does the surname MacCannon mean?
The last name MacCannon has been traced back to Scotland, but its exact origin is uncertain. It is thought to be an anglicization of the Gaelic MacKanain, which is derived from the personal name Canann. A popular interpretation of the name is that it means “wolf cub of Canann”.
Throughout history, the MacCannons have been a prominent clan in Scotland, settling throughout the country, and giving their name to various villages and landmarks.
The MacCannons are mainly associated with the Scottish Highlands and the ancient clan system, which focused around loyalty to a chief. However, the MacCannons have also played significant roles in other realms of Scottish life, such as politics and war. For instance, two MacCannons were influential in the Jacobite Rebellions, which sought to restore the House of Stuart to the throne of England.
Today, the MacCannon name is still prevalent throughout Scotland and various other countries. It is a testament to the ancient roots of the name and the loyalty of the clan of which it is a part.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCannon: Where does the name MacCannon come from?
The last name MacCannon is most common in Northern Ireland, where it is in fact the 76th most popular surname. It is also quite common in Scotland, ranking just outside the top 100 most popular surnames in the country. The surname is also found in the United States, Canada, and Australia in smaller numbers.
The origins of the surname MacCannon are not completely certain, however, it is generally accepted to be derived from a Scottish-Gaelic given name of 'MacCanaan', which means 'son of the wolf’ in Gaelic.
The majority of people with the last name MacCannon in Northern Ireland are found in five counties: Antrim, Derry, Tyrone, Armagh, and Down. In Scotland, the surname is mainly distributed in the Western Isles and along the Eastern coast.
The MacCannon surname has been in Ireland for centuries, first recorded in the early 1600s in the Ulster plantation. It is possible that the surname was brought to Ireland by a Protestant family from Scotland.
Today, there are numerous people with the last name MacCannon scattered all over the world, though the surname is most prominent in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Variations of the surname MacCannon
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacCannon are MacCanon, McCannan, M'Cannon, MacCannan, M'Cannan, and MacCannont.
The surname MacCannon originates from the Scottish and Irish (Gaelic) surnames Mac Canainn and Mac Cana. Both derive from the surname Mac Cana, meaning "son of Cana". This name was likely from a personal name derived from the elements "can" or "cean", meaning "dear" or "gentle".
The surname MacCannon can be found across the United States with the highest concentration in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Arizona. It is also common in Canada, Scotland, England, and Ireland.
In Scotland, the MacCannon spelling is quite varied, with many people spelling the surname differently from what is considered the standard spelling. These alternative versions of the name include McCannen, M'Cannen, MacCanon, MacCannan, M'Cannan, and MacCannont.
In Ireland, the name is usually spelled MacCanon which is the preferred spelling among those bearing the surname. This spelling is most common in Ulster province, with variants found mainly in the nearby Connacht province.
No matter what the spelling, the surname MacCannon is a proud and noble Scottish/Irish name that reflects its strong heritage and roots.
Famous people with the name MacCannon
- Merrill MacCannon: Irish actor known for playing a recurring role in Vikings
- Rose MacCannon: Australian singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for her albums Wanderlust and The Wild & The Tamed
- Niall MacCannon: Irish actor best known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Vikings
- Sean MacCannon: American actor most noted for his roles in House of Cards and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Sunny MacCannon: English comedian and actor most recognized for his roles in Monsters vs. Aliens and The Spy Who Dumped Me
- Fiona MacCannon: Scottish actress known for her roles in A Knight’s Tale and The Right Stuff
- Harry MacCannon: English actor and model, known for his roles in Vikings and Doomsday
- William MacCannon: Canadian film and television actor, best known for his roles in The X-Files, Dark Angel, and Faith, Hope & Love
- Donal MacCannon: Irish playwright and actor most known for his plays A Tale of Two Cities and Wonderland
- Glen MacCannon: New Zealand actor noted for his roles in Outrageous Fortune and the Lord of the Rings trilogy