Surname MacGovern - Meaning and Origin
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MacGovern: What does the surname MacGovern mean?
The surname MacGovern is of Irish origin and is a form of the Gaelic name Mac Dhoibhgin created from two elements: Mac, meaning "son of" and Dubhagáin, a personal name. The original form of the name is Mac Dhuibhshíne, which means "son of Dubhshíne".
The Gaelic meaning of Macgovern is ‘son of the black soldier’ or ‘the one-eyed servant of the blacksmith’. As one of the seven clan families that formed the Cenel Eoghain in Ulster, the MacGoverns have a long history of combat and service.
The Chief of the MacGovern clan lived at Letterkenny in Ulster until the Plantation of Ulster coming from Scotland in the late 1600s. After the Plantation of Ulster, many of the clan moved west to Donegal, still maintaining control over the Clan’s traditional lands.
During this migration new variations of the name were adopted, with Mac Vatter, Mac Gubbin and Mac Caffrey all appearing in the records of Donegal. The MacGoverns maintained their independence in Donegal, with many resisting English rule. They continued to be a powerful presence in Irish culture, particularly through their military prowess.
The MacGoverns continued to fight for the independence of Ireland and play a part in politics right up to the 20th century. The modern MacGovern is proud of his ancestry and identifies strongly with his Irish heritage. He is a symbol of traditional Irish values and the fight for Irish freedom.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGovern: Where does the name MacGovern come from?
The last name MacGovern is most commonly found in Ireland and in Irish diaspora communities around the world. The name is derived from the Irish Mac Goibninn, which means ‘son of Goibnenn’.
The name is found throughout the island of Ireland, as well as in parts of Scotland, England, and Wales. In Scotland, the name gained prominence when the MacGovern clan was brought to the region by the 5th-7th centuries. In England the name is more common in areas with large Irish populations, such as Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham.
Outside of the UK and Ireland, MacGovern is more commonly found in Canadian cities with large Irish populations, such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa. There are also families with this surname living in the United States, especially in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, where large numbers of Irish immigrants settled in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Today, some of the most common places to find people with the MacGovern surname include Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and, of course, Ireland. Many of these families can trace their heritage back to medieval times. The name may have evolved slightly over the centuries, but it remains largely the same as it has for many years.
Variations of the surname MacGovern
The MacGovern surname is an ancient Gaelic surname that is associated with the Isle of Ireland and Scotland. The name is derived from the Old Irish Mag Shamhráin, meaning ‘son of the sun’. It is also thought to be derived from the Irish word mac, meaning ‘son of’.
The various variants, spellings and surnames of MacGovern include: Mag Shamhráin, MacGovern, MacGaffin, McGuire, MacGowan, MacGowen, Macgullane, Magowan, and Gouin.
MacGaffin is an Irish form of the surname, derived from the Gaelic ‘MacShamhráin’, meaning ‘son of the sun’. Of Scottish origin, MacGowan is a variant of MacGowen, which can also be spelt as MacGowan and MacGullane.
McGuire is an Anglicised version of the Gaelic name MacShamhráin, meaning ‘son of the sun’. The variant Magowan is an old Gaelic form of MacGowan and has also been known as Magullane.
Gouin is an Irish variant of the surname, derived from the Gaelic ‘MagShamhráin’. The Gaelic spelling of the name is Mag Shamhráin. Other variant spellings of MacGovern in Ireland include Magorney, Magowney, Magowna, McGowney, and Mac originally derived from the Irish Mac Shamhráin.
Famous people with the name MacGovern
- Regis MacGovern: US Navy Sailor and Player of the Year Award-winning coach in soccer who was posthumously inducted into the Soccer Hall of Fame.
- Richard MacGovern: Award-winning cinematographer and member of the American Society of Cinematographers.
- Paula MacGovern: Emmy-award winning producer and American Broadcasting Company's primetime series program executive.
- Peter MacGovern: NYU Tisch School of the Arts professor of cinematography, member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and Independent Feature Project Award-winning cinematographer.
- James MacGovern: United States Navy and Marine Corps veteran.
- John MacGovern: Mechanical engineer, structural engineer, founding member of the Engineering Society of Cincinnati, and Ohio Preservation Alliance Meritorious Service Award winner.
- Kyle MacGovern: Major League Soccer defender for Portland Timbers.
- Robert MacGovern: Irish Royal Navy lieutenant and commanding officer of the HMS Sparrowhawk.
- Raymond MacGovern: Irish barrister and King's Counsel.
- Mark MacGovern: Actor, director, and art director.
- Austin MacGovern: American Film Institute Conservatory graduate, former Sundance Institute manage, cinematographer, and director.
- Joe MacGovern: Multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, and producer known for his work in soundtracks for video games, films, and television.
- Peter Francis MacGovern: American racehorse trainer and breeder who won the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park in 2018.
- Philip MacGovern: BBC networking editor on EastEnders and other BBC shows.
- Trim MacGovern: Irish association football player who won the National League of Ireland Cup twice with Dundee United.