Surname MacHowell - Meaning and Origin
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MacHowell: What does the surname MacHowell mean?
The last name MacHowell is derived from Mac Dhubhghaill which is a Scottish/Gaelic name. This name is composed of two Gaelic words, 'mac' which means "son of" and 'Dhubhghaill' which was the personal name of a chief of the original clan. This name denotes a relationship within the clan, that a certain individual is the son of the leader of the clan.
The name Mac Howell is also used to represent the clan Mac Dhubhghaill, which is believed to have originated from the West Coast of Scotland in the region of Argyll. The clan is often referred to as Clan MacChuill, which acting as a derivative of the original Gaelic name and means 'the children of the mist'. It is believed that the clan descended from the ancient Earls of Lennox who claimed to be descended from an Irish Prince.
The Gaelic history of the clan Mac Dhubhghaill offers insight into the possible meaning of the name Mac Howell. It represents the legacy of a strong family line, with the common identity of being the descendant of a leader of a certain clan. This could suggest that the name Mac Howell is associated with power, authority, and legacy, implying that those who bear the name hold a certain amount of authority within their community.
Order DNA origin analysisMacHowell: Where does the name MacHowell come from?
The last name MacHowell is more common in the United States, especially in the Midwestern states. According to the US Census Bureau, the most concentrated population of people with the last name MacHowell is in Iowa, followed by Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
The MacHowell name has been in the US since at least 1865 when Finley MacHowell is believed to have immigrated from England to Ohio. The name is derived from the Scottish name "MacGillyniachel" which translates to "son of Howell". It is likely that the origin of the family in the US was a settler from Scotland.
In modern times, the most popular cities in the US where the surname MacHowell appears include both large cities and small towns. Some of the cities include Chicago, Illinois, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Sycamore, Illinois.
Overall, MacHowell is not an incredibly common last name in the US today and is much more likely to be found in the Midwestern states. The name may still be found in some areas of Scotland, England, and Wales as well.
Variations of the surname MacHowell
The surname MacHowell is of Scottish and Irish origin, and is derived from the Gaelic name Mac amhalaigh - translated as "son of the ruler". Variants of the name include Mac Auley, Mac Hawley, M'Auley, M'Aulee, M'Hawley, M'Howell, M'Huyll, and MacAulay.
MacHowell is also a common spelling variation of the Scottish surname MacAulay. MacAulay is an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic nameMacAmhlaoibh, which is composed of the elements Mac meaning "son of" and Amhlaoibh, a Gaelic personal name composed of the elements am meaning "bent one" and laoch which means "hero". Variants of the name includeMcAulay, Mac Aulay, MacAuley, MacAulay, MacAuley, MacAuley, MacAussie, MacAuley, MacAveley, MacAwley, McAuley, MacAwwly, MacHowe, and many more. The literal translation of MacAulay is "son of the hero".
The Irish equivalents to the Scottish names MacAulay and MacHowell are Mageau and McGue. Mageau is the Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mag Amhlaidh, which is composed of the elements Mag meaning "son of" and Amhlaidh, a personal name composed of the elements am meaning "bent one" and laoch which means "hero". McGue is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Uidhir, which is composed of the elementsMac meaning "son of" and Uidhir, a personal name of uncertain origin. Variants of the names Mageau and McGue include MacGeough, MacGough, Magee, Mageo, MacGue, MacGwee, McGove, and MacGeogh.
Famous people with the name MacHowell
- Sean MacHowell: an American footballer and Division 1 college head coach.
- Niall MacHowell: a British actor who starred in the mini-series The Buccaneers, and also appeared in the movie The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
- Cameron MacHowell: an American actor who starred in the TV series The Glades and Criminal Minds.
- Craig MacHowell: a professional skier who has won various competitions, including the U.S. Freeskiing Open.
- Eddie MacHowell: an American baseball player who spent 11 seasons as a professional in the Major League Baseball.
- Bruce MacHowell: an American actor who has starred in several TV shows, such as Family Matters and General Hospital.
- Sarah MacHowell: a British actress who starred in the popular series Skins.
- Laura MacHowell: an American actress who has had roles in TV shows such as CSI: Miami and Private Practice.
- Kenneth MacHowell: a British DJ, producer, and musician who are well known in the underground dance music scene.
- Frederick MacHowell: an American painter and illustrator who is best known for his works in the science fiction genre.