Surname MacGreen - Meaning and Origin
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MacGreen: What does the surname MacGreen mean?
The last name MacGreen is an Irish-Gaelic surname which is derived from the Gaelic word "MacGriogair". MacGriogair translates into English as "son of Gregory". In Gaelic tradition, patronymic surnames like MacGreen were commonly used instead of family names. This was a way of paying homage to the father or grandfathers who were given important family roles, such as head of household or chieftain.
The Mac Green surname is most commonly associated with the southwestern region of Ireland, namely counties of Clare and Galway. This is due to the fact that the name was largely predominant in this area over the centuries.
Although Mac Green is seen as a traditional Irish name, it is not uncommon in other countries. Due to migration throughout the years, many MacGreen descendants have settled in Scotland, Canada, and the United States. It is estimated that there are around 2000 MacGreen descendants in North America today.
In terms of its meaning, MacGreen is a name that symbolizes the importance of family, and as such, it can be seen as a tribute to strong familial bonds which have been passed down from generation to generation. As a reminder of a proud past, it is a name that can instill pride and a sense of belonging in those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGreen: Where does the name MacGreen come from?
The surname MacGreen is most commonly found in English speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the MacGreen surname is most strongly associated with the states of Kentucky, Ohio, and Texas, although it may be found elsewhere in the country.
The MacGreen surname is of Irish origin, likely derived from the Gaelic Mac Grian, meaning "son of the sun" or "bright one". In Ireland, the name is associated with the counties of Clare, Cork, and Dublin. It is also linked to Scotland as a variant form of the Scottish MacGregor.
In recent years, following economic, political, and social developments, the MacGreen surname has spread further around the globe. The name is likely to be found in countries with large numbers of Irish emigrants, such as New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, and the United States.
By researching different online genealogical databases, such as Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org, it is possible to locate individuals with the MacGreen surname and trace their ancestral roots in various corners of the globe.
Variations of the surname MacGreen
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacGreen include McGreen, M’Green, M'Green, Mackgreen, M’Gren, McGreene, MacGren, Magreen, Mackgrene, MacGrene, Magreene, MacGreine, MacGrain, MacGraen, MacGrana, MacGrane, MacCrane, Magrane, and McCrane.
The surname MacGreen is of Scottish origin. It evolved to MacGreen when someone bearing the patronymic posthumously adopted a similar form of the name. It is likely derived from the Scottish Gaelic Mac Griogair which translates to “son of Gregory”. This name may have been adopted by an ancestor of the MacGreen family who had the Christian name Gregory.
MacGreen may also be an Anglicization or alteration of the Irish-Gaelic Mac Craith and the Welsh-Gaelic Mac Reath which mean respectively “son of grace” and “son of Carol”.
McGreen, Mackgreen, and M’Gren refers to the family name of McGreen and Magreen is a modern spelling of MacGrain, which is an old spelling of MacGreen. The surname MacCrane is an Anglicization of MacCraith from the Irish-Gaelic, while MacGreine, MacGrana, and MacGraen are variants of MacGreen derived from the Scottish-Gaelic form. Magrane and McCrane are modern variants of MacGrane, which is derived from the Scottish-Gaelic variation of MacGreen.
Famous people with the name MacGreen
- Ian MacGreen: He is a visual artist and experimental/interactive filmmaker known for his works in 3D animation.
- Mark MacGreen: He is a singer-songwriter from the UK, best known for collaborating with the Arctic Monkeys.
- Angus MacGreen: A professional golfer from Scotland, former world number one in the World Golf Rankings.
- Duncan MacGreen: A Scottish actor who has appeared in popular films such as Gladiator and Braveheart.
- Alex MacGreen: An American NFL player who played for the New York Giants for four years before retiring in 2015.
- Alison MacGreen: An English actress and model who starred in films such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
- Morgan MacGreen: A multi-instrumentalist composer, producer, and recording artist who has worked with the likes of Kanye West and Beyonce.
- Samantha MacGreen: A fashion designer from the United Kingdom who is the creative director of her own label.
- Sean MacGreen: An Australian rugby player who has won two Super Rugby championships with the Crusaders.
- Amelie MacGreen: A French fashion journalist, editor, and actress, who is renowned for her work with fashion and lifestyle magazines.