Surname MacMeekin - Meaning and Origin
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MacMeekin: What does the surname MacMeekin mean?
The last name MacMeekin is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Mhic Aodha, which translates to 'son of the son of Hugh'. Hugh is an Old French personal name meaning ‘heart, mind, or spirit’. The surname is found mainly in Scotland and Ireland, mainly in the regions of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. The name is believed to be derived from that of the McGaw Clan in Scotland, who were noted as protectors of the barony of Manorpollock in the 11th century. This Gaelic clan were known as MacMhic Aodha and Mhaicmhaodha, and later evolved to MacMeekin.
The name MacMeekin is also found in America today as a result of emigration at various points throughout history. This is due to large-scale immigration of Scots to the Americas in the mid 19th century.
The MacMeekin surname is an unusual one and holds the proud Middle Ages history of Scotland, and today is worn proudly by many people in Scotland, Ireland, and America alike.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMeekin: Where does the name MacMeekin come from?
The last name MacMeekin is mostly concentrated in Scotland today. It is most commonly found in the Lowlands and Highlands regions but can also be found in other parts of Scotland. The surname can be traced back to the eleventh century, when people with the name first settled in Scotland from Ireland.
MacMeekin is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic MacMeicin. It is sometimes referred to as a Scottish clan name, which can indicate that the people with this surname belonged to the same family and shared a common ancestor.
Most of the MacMeekins living in Scotland today live in and around the towns of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Outside of Scotland, MacMeekin is less common but can be found in countries with significant Scottish populations, such as the United States, Canada and Australia.
The surname MacMeekin is considered a rare one, given that it is mainly concentrated in Scotland. There are few other countries where this name is as popular, so the chances of finding someone with this surname in other parts of the world are low.
Today, the majority of people with the MacMeekin name are proud of their Scottish heritage and the qualities associated with it, such as sense of adventure, hard work and loyalty.
Variations of the surname MacMeekin
The surname MacMeekin can have various spellings and variants, including MacMeechan, MacMickin, MacMeachan and MacMichen. It is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic MacMhuicinn, which in turn is derived from the old personal name Muicin. This old Gaelic personal name derives from “muic” meaning “pig”, likely referring to a person’s fondness for them.
The surname has spread mainly throughout the British Isles, with Scots, Irish, and English variations, and even some extending into North America. In particular, the name is common in Ireland and Scotland, though its presence is not too uncommon in England. In the United States, the name is found mostly in Pennsylvania and Maryland, though its presence is still limited.
Variants found in Scotland include MacMichen, MacMeekin, MacMickin, and MacMeachan. Variants from Ireland include MacMehan, MacMeany, MacMeelin, and MacMeagan. In Wales, the variants are usually found as Meechan or Meakin.
No matter the spelling or region, the surname originated with the Old Gaelic “muicin” meaning “pig” and has maintained much of that same variation across history.
Famous people with the name MacMeekin
- David MacMeekin: David MacMeekin is a former professional golfer and current golf broadcaster. He was the co-host of "Golf Digest Radio" on Back9 Network.
- Emma MacMeekin: Emma MacMeekin is a Scottish actress, singer-songwriter, and voice actress. She is best known for her roles in the BBC comedy-drama series "The Armstrong and Miller Show" and the ITV drama "Lewis".
- Graeme MacMeekin: Graeme MacMeekin is a Scottish video game designer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Big Robot, an independent video game production company and the creator of the popular stealth-strategy game, Sir.
- Vinny MacMeekin: Vinny MacMeekin is a Canadian photographer and documentary filmmaker. He is known for his work on the Showtime series "The Whitest Kids U' Know" and the Discovery Channel series "Worst Case Scenarios".
- Laura MacMeekin: Laura MacMeekin is a British engineer and academic. She is a Professor of Engineering at Cardiff University and has held a variety of research and teaching posts at top universities across the United Kingdom.
- John MacMeekin: John MacMeekin is a visual artist from Edinburgh, Scotland. He is known for his large-scale abstract paintings, which he exhibits worldwide.
- Grant MacMeekin: Grant MacMeekin is a Scottish-American actor, writer, and producer. He is best known for his role in the hit movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" as well as his work in television and stage theatre.