Surname MacKune - Meaning and Origin
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MacKune: What does the surname MacKune mean?
The last name MacKune originates from the Scottish Highlands, and is derived from the Gaelic term "MacCuinn". It is a patronymic name, meaning "son of Cuinn," a personal name of Gaelic origin derived from "cu" which means "hound" or "wolf". The name is attested in surname form since the 15th century, when the people of the Scottish Highlands began to use surnames.
The MacKune family belonged to the Clan Mackinnon of Scotland, a highly respected and powerful Highland clan. The surname likely derived from the chief of the clan, called the “Mackenzie” which means “son of the Wolf.” The Mackinnons can trace their roots back to the 13th century and were known for their loyalty, strength and courage.
Today, the MacKune surname is generally found in Scotland, most notably in the Lowlands, where the most populated areas are often found. It is most commonly found in areas on the northern parts of Scotland, including the Highlands and Moray. In recent times, MacKune has also spread to areas in the United States and Canada, as many individuals with the surname emigrated to those areas from Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Overall, the last name MacKune is most notably derived from the Gaelic term for “son of Cuinn” and is associated with the Clan Mackinnon of Scotland. Its origins date back to the 13th century, and it has become quite widespread, particularly in Scotland, the United States, and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKune: Where does the name MacKune come from?
The last name MacKune is mainly associated with Scotland and Ireland, although it can be found in other English-speaking countries as well. In Scotland, MacKune is especially common in the northeastern and eastern regions of the country, particularly around Aberdeen and Dundee. In Ireland, the last name can be found most frequently in counties Dublin, Cork, and Galway.
In Scotland, the MacKune clan can trace its origins back to the 13th century, and it is most commonly associated with the Highlands and Islands regions. The original settler was William MacKune, who had moved from Ireland to Scotland and had acquired land in the north of Scotland near present-day Aberdeen. The final word of the surname comes from the Gaelic word for chief, “cune.” The MacKune family was one of the more powerful clans in the North until its strength waned after the Jacobite Rebellions of the 18th century.
It appears that, in modern times, the last name MacKune is much less common than it was in past centuries. In the 2000s, a search of the Scottish Census website showed that the surname had declined from having a significant presence in the 18th and 19th century to having only a marginal presence in the early 21st century, with 205 people nationwide bearing the LnM name.
Overall, the last name MacKune is most common in Scotland and Ireland, particularly around certain areas such as Aberdeen, Dundee, and Galway. Although the surname was once quite common in these countries, in modern times it has declined significantly and is now mainly seen as a historic relic.
Variations of the surname MacKune
MacKune is a surname that is connected to several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Mackoon, MacKoun, MacKun, Makkune, MacCoon, MacQueen, McKune, McKown, Makcoune, Makoon and Makeen.
The surname MacKune originates in Scotland and Ireland, coming from the Gaelic MacCaoinde and MacAodhagáin. It is derived from a name meaning ‘son of Caovilind’, a form of the Gaelic ‘caomh’, meaning ‘kind’, ‘lovely’ or ‘gentle’. The different spellings of the surname may have resulted from different dialects and spellings in different countries.
In Scotland, variants such as MacKoun, MacKun and Makkune are common. However, in the Irish tradition, variants such as MacCoon, MacQueen, and McKune are more popular. In the north of Ireland, variants like McKown, Makcoune and Makoon are also seen.
Some of the variants, such as MacQueen and Makeen, may have originated in Scotland but since then have been adopted into the Irish surname pool.
This surname appears in numbers throughout the Scottish Highlands, in Ireland, and even in North America where it became commonly known as MacKune.
Despite its Gaelic form, the surname MacKune is found to have several variants, spellings and related surnames, all originating from the same source.
Famous people with the name MacKune
- Gordon MacKune: an American multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer, best known for his work with hip-hop and R&B artists.
- Georgia MacKune: a Scottish actress best known for her performances in various theatre shows.
- Pat MacKune: a British bass guitarist who has toured extensively with various bands and has released several solo albums.
- Emma MacKune: an American sculptor and painter from Los Angeles, CA.
- Jared MacKune: a Canadian actor, director, and writer, best known for his roles in various television shows.
- Kyle MacKune: an Australian singer-songwriter who has released two albums and multiple singles.
- Kiron MacKune: a British model and journalist.
- Hunter MacKune: an American alpine skier who represented the United States at the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Corinne MacKune: an American film and television actress who has appeared in various cult favorites.
- Bruce MacKune: a Canadian comedy writer, producer, and director known for his involvement in several hit television shows.