Surname MacCune - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCune: What does the surname MacCune mean?
The surname MacCune originates from Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic name "MacCone", which means "son of Cune", with 'Cune' being a personal name. The name was further Anglicized over time to become MacCune as it is commonly known today. Variants of this surname include MacEwen, MacKewn, MacCunn, and MacCune amongst others. Scottish surnames typically used 'Mac' or 'Mc' (meaning "son of") followed by the father’s name. This patronymic system of naming was used to signal direct descent. This is a common practice among many Gaelic-speaking cultures. Thus, the surname MacCune literally means "son of Cune". It's important to note that meanings can vary in surname origins and this meaning might not hold true for every holder of the MacCune surname. As surnames could also be influenced by jobs, geographical locations, and other factors, their exact origins may be diverse.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCune: Where does the name MacCune come from?
The surname MacCune is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Eoghainn, which means "Son of Eoghann". Variation of this surname includes: McCune, MacEwen, MacEwan, and others. The MacCunes are believed to have descended from the ancient Pictish tribes of Scotland, a country situated in the northern part of the British Isles.
The clan from which this surname originates is found mostly in the Argyll and Bute region of western Scotland. The family's ancestry can be traced back to the island of Iona in the Inner Hebrides, so it can be considered a Highland Scottish surname.
In present-day, the surname MacCune, like many Scottish surnames, is found in various parts of the world due to the historic movements and emigrations of Scottish people. People with this surname can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and of course, scattered throughout the United Kingdom. However, the concentration of families with this surname still remain relatively higher in Scotland than other countries.
Variations of the surname MacCune
The surname MacCune originated from Scotland. It is sometimes spelled McCune in its anglicized form. The name MacCune is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Eoghainn," which means "son of Eoghann."
Some variants of the surname MacCune include McCunn, MacEwen, McCowan, McKeown, McEwan, McEuen, and McEwing. In some cases, it may also be spelled as MacKewn, MacKewon, McKeone, McKewan and so forth.
These surname variants come from regional differences and Anglicization of the original Gaelic name over centuries. Because they trace back to the same original roots, these surnames can be considered as being of the same origin.
It’s also worth noting since spelling of names wasn't standardized until relatively recently in history, many names have multiple valid spellings. Many Scottish surnames also changed when family members emigrated to other countries, especially America, often adapting to more phonetic spellings.
Surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics.
The MacCune and its variants are primarily found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but with migration can be found all over the world today.
However, these all variations may signify different branches and not necessarily indicate they originate from the same family.
Famous people with the name MacCune
- John MacCune: a Scottish-American naturalist and botanist who pioneered cloud physics and photographic meteorology
- George MacCune: an Irish-born American pedagogue, author, and educator
- Yvonne MacCune: a prominent American political activist during the 1950s and 1960s women's rights movement
- Kim MacCune: influential modern American philosopher and author
- Joe MacCune: prominent American musician and multi-instrumentalist
- Bill MacCune: American Historian, specializing in the history of Appalachia
- David MacCune: American folk singer and songwriter
- Mike MacCune: television producer and director
- Janet MacCune: award-winning Italian-American architect
- Shelley MacCune: widely respected American documentary film director and producer