Surname MacQuane - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacQuane: What does the surname MacQuane mean?
The surname MacQuane is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name MacSuain. This particular surname was derived from the Gaelic words Mac, meaning "son of", and Suain, meaning "small hawk". The MacQuanes were originally a sept of the Mormaer or regional chieftains of Mar in Scotland. The MacQuane descendants are still mostly concentrated in Scotland, mostly in the historic regions of Gairloch, Lochaber and Kintail.
MacQuane is a Scottish clan or extended family. Traditionally, the clan would have been led by a chief, often associated with the area where they lived or with the closest castle or fortress. The MacQuanes had strong ties to the Ogilvy clan, and many of them inhabited the castle at Inverquharity.
The MacQuane surname is closely affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The ancestors of this family are reported to have been among those who took the oath of fealty in 1638 at the Covenants - an agreement to work for religious and political independence against the powers of the day.
Today, the MacQuanes are still present throughout Scotland, and they continue to proudly celebrate their unique culture and heritage. The clan motto is "Ready Aye Ready", which is indicative of their loyalty and commitment to the cause of freedom.
Order DNA origin analysisMacQuane: Where does the name MacQuane come from?
The last name MacQuane is most commonly found in the Irish diaspora today, with the majority of people bearing this name living in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, the United States, and Canada.
Historically, MacQuane was a surname of Gaelic origin, derived from the MacCuain Clan of County Donegal in Ireland. The MacCuains were an ancient family of descendents of Conn of the Hundred Battles, a legendary leader of the first Catholic Irish monarchy. As a result, the MacCuain name was adopted by many Highlanders of Scotland in the Medieval ages.
In modern times, people bearing the MacQuane last name most commonly live in British-influenced parts of the world, due to the Norman Conquest of the British Isles, as well as the waves of Irish emigration that happened throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Despite its comparatively small size, the MacQuane Clan has members living in almost every country, with large concentrations of MacQuanes in cities such as Dublin, London, Toronto, New York, Sydney, and Vancouver.
The MacQuane last name is still common in areas of the USA, especially in the states of California, New York, and Massachusetts. In 2019, there were estimated to be over 10,000 people in the United States with the MacQuane last name, which is evidence of the lasting legacy of the Clan through its migrations around the world.
Variations of the surname MacQuane
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacQuane include M'Quain, MacQuain, M'Kean, MacKean, McKain, and MacKeane.
The origin of MacQuane is derived from the old Gaelic meaning "son of Cian", Cian meaning ancient warrior. The surname MacQuane is most commonly found in southwestern Scotland around the Counties of Ayr, Wigtown and Kirkcudbright. Some ancestors of the name MacQuane may have come from the northern part of Ireland in the Province of Ulster.
One spelling of the surname MacQuane dates back to the year 1420 in a record kept at the state archives in Edinburgh and refers to the “lands of MacQuane” held by someone in the Wigtown region of Scotland.
In Ireland, the MacQuane surname is considered a sept of the MacCartan clan. This version of the MacQuane surname is spelled as McGuane or McGwane and is most common in counties such as Donegal, Derry, and Antrim.
Variations of the surname MacQuane include Mequane, Mekane, Mequain, M'quain, MacQuain, MacKane, McKane, McKain, MacKeane, M'Kean, and M'Keane. It is important to note that some of these variations may be traced back to Irish records.
MacQuane is an uncommon surname and remains very much in use today, with descendants of the MacQuane clan living throughout the world.
Famous people with the name MacQuane
- Peter MacQuane: Scottish comedic actor famously known for his roles in The Beachcombers (1972-1990), and Road to Avonlea (1998-2008).
- Paul MacQuane: Irish footballer who won the League of Ireland in 1980 and earned caps with the Irish national team from 1979-1981.
- Charles MacQuane: American marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his display of bravery during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in 1950.
- Henry MacQuane: Canadian scientist and peat expert who helped discover dozens of new bacterial species during his tenure at the University of Ottawa.
- Sean MacQuane: Hollywood stunt double, well known for his work on several big budget films such as Avengers: Endgame and White House Down.
- Tony MacQuane: British rally driver who won back-to-back BRC titles in 2009 and 2010 and took part in the World Rally Championship.
- Michelle MacQuane: American track and field athlete who won a bronze medal in the 800m event at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Keith MacQuane: 19th-century Scottish philosopher and theologian who helped to popularize the philosophical works of Kant and Hegel.
- Linda MacQuane: Award-winning Scottish novelist behind the best-selling novel The House on Scarlet Street and the acclaimed children's fantasy series The Secret Adventures of the Dragonfly.
- Claire MacQuane: Australian politician who served as the deputy prime minister from 1999 to 2004 and was the leader of the Progressive Centre Party from 1987 to 2004.