Surname MacCoyne - Meaning and Origin

MacCoyne: What does the surname MacCoyne mean?

The last name MacCoyne comes from the Irish name Mac Con Uidhir, which is derived from the Gaelic words “mac” meaning “son” and “con” meaning “wolf”. The root of the surname is believed to come from the O’Cuinn clan, an ancient Irish sept located in what is now County Offaly in Ireland. The surname originated in the province of Connacht, although there were also MacCoyne populations in Ulster and Leinster by the 16th century. This surname is usually pronounced as MacCoyne, or in some cases, MacKoyne.

The earliest references of the surname are found in Ireland, where it was carried by descendants of the O Cuinn clan, particularly in County Offaly. During the 16th and 17th centuries, some families bearing the surname MacCoyne were among those people who left Ireland, with some settling in Scotland and England as well as further afield, including the United States and Canada.

Today, MacCoyne is an uncommon but not rare surname, especially among people of Irish descent. Historically, MacCoyne is associated with bravery, strength, and loyalty. It was a name for the powerful leaders of the clans and septs. MacCoyne is a proud family name that signifies strength and courage. It is also an important part of the genealogical and cultural heritage of the Irish people.

MacCoyne: Where does the name MacCoyne come from?

The last name MacCoyne is a relatively rare surname today, however it is most commonly found in Ireland. The name—both the variants "McCoyne" and "MacCoyne"—has been present in the country since the early 17th century following the Ulster Plantation period, when many settlers established roots in northern Ireland. It is likely that the name derived from the Irish Mac Cuinn, from the the royal Connachta dynasty.

Though the name is not especially widespread today, modern day MacCoynes can be found across Ireland and in pockets of other countries, such as the UK, Canada and the United States. Though the primary country of residence is still Ireland, in a poll conducted by the company "Surname Origin Research" in 2011, 40% of MacCoynes worldwide lived outside of Ireland.

In some cities, such as London, England, the MacCoyne population is quite concentrated. At that time, there were around 250 MacCoyne surnames living in the greater London area alone.

The MacCoyne surname has a long and concise history in Ireland, however today it is rather scattered and the original meaning of the name has been diluted over the years.

Variations of the surname MacCoyne

MacCoyne is a surname derived from the MacCuinn family of Scotland, and has had many variations and spellings throughout the centuries. In some areas of Scotland the name has been known as MacKine, MacKoyne, MacKoynne, MacGoyne, MacGoyn, MacKoyne, Mockoyn, McCoigne, MacGoyne, McGoyne, MacKoy, MacKaine, MacKeyn, and McKayne. The spelling of the name in Ireland usually takes on a form such as MacCoinn, Mag Cuinn, or even MacCoinne.

In England, the surname has been known as McCoyne, M'Coyne, MacCoyne, MacTayne, MacKaine, and MacKoyne. In the United States, the alternates of the name that have been found are McKeyne, Mccoyne, McCaine, MacGoyn, MacKaing, MacKaine, MacKein, McKayne, and McKoyne. Variants of the name have also been spelled in the Netherlands as MacKoyne, and in France as Macquyn and Quain.

The MacCoyne surname is most commonly associated with Irish and Scottish heritage, but this has been changing over the centuries as more of its variants have crossed borders. It is also not uncommon to see many spellings of the name among the same family, indicating the changes and shifts that have taken place over the years. No matter what spelling is used, the MacCoyne name is a descendant of the ancient Gaelic MacCuinn family, which was one of the most powerful clans in Scotland in its time.

Famous people with the name MacCoyne

• Eliza McCoyne: Model and social media presence.
• Mark McCoyne: Actor best known for his role in the 2019 Netflix movie Price of Duty.
• Tom McCoyne: British actor known for his appearances in films such as The Full Monty, Calendar Girls, and Charles II: The Power and The Passion.
• Paul McCoyne: Award-winning comedy writer and co-creator of the “Da Ali G Show”.
• Katie McCoyne: Dancer and choreographer, whose work can be seen in films such as Pitch Perfect and Grease Live!
• Ian MacCoyne: Famous Irish singer/songwriter, best known for his hits “Tip Toe Through The Tiger Lilies” and “The Way It Is”.
• Caitlin MacCoyne: Professional curler, winner of the 2019 World Mixed Curling Championship.
• Rob MacCoyne: Musician and producer, best known for his work in hip-hop and R&B music.
• Chris McCoyne: Journalist and commentator at ESPN, noted for his investigative reporting on gambling in sport.
• Elizabeth McCoyne: Emmy-winning costume designer, noted for her work on HBO's "The Sopranos".

Other surnames

MacCoy