Surname MacQuiston - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacQuiston: What does the surname MacQuiston mean?
MacQuiston is a Scottish surname which is most likely of locational origin, although there is not much documented history about this specific name. It is believed to be derived from a place name in Scotland, based on the common practice of surnames representing places of origin. The prefix "Mac" in the Scottish and Irish cultures often translates to "son of." The "quiston" part of the name is more difficult to decipher. However, many Scottish names ending in “ton” are derived from old parishes or farmsteads, suggesting "Quiston" may originate from a specific location. Specific meaning and origin, however, remain uncertain due to a lack of definitive historical records.
Order DNA origin analysisMacQuiston: Where does the name MacQuiston come from?
The surname MacQuiston is of Scottish origin. It is primarily a derivative of the Gaelic name MacUisdein, meaning 'son of Uisdein', which is a personal name equivalent to Hugh. The name has been anglicized into different versions like McQuiston, McQuesten, and MacQueston. Different branches of the MacQuistons are thought to originate from different areas in Scotland including Ayrshire and Argyll.
Today, the surname MacQuiston continues to be most common in Scotland especially in regions of Lothian and Grampian. Outside of Scotland, it holds some presence in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia as a result of Scottish emigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. However, it remains relatively rare on a global scale. Exact concentrations of the name can vary widely due to factors including historical migration patterns and intermarriage.
Variations of the surname MacQuiston
The surname MacQuiston primarily originated from the Scottish region. This surname belongs to the category of 'Patronymic' surnames, which are derived by adding either the prefix 'Mac' which denotes 'son of', or 'O', which denotes 'grandson of' in Gaelic, to the personal name of the initial bearer's father or grandfather.
As it is an ancestral surname, there are several variants and possible spellings, evolving from its original version due to migration and regional dialect. Some of the common variants and similar surnames include McQuiston, MacQuistion, McQuistion, MacQuisten, McQuesten, MacQuesten, McQuisten and MacQueston. It is also possible for the prefix to be dropped, resulting in variants like Quiston, Quistion, Questen, and Quisten.
Each of these variations is linked back to the name of the original bearer in the family line. The adjustments in the surname might just stem from errors made by census officials, transposition of letters by scribes or personalized changes by family members to differentiate themselves from others in an area. Overall, the surname and its variants represent family connections and heritage from the Scottish region.
Famous people with the name MacQuiston
- Scott MacQuiston: Scottish guitarist
- Joe MacQuiston: American rodeo clown
- Mark MacQuiston: American high school basketball coach
- Don MacQuiston: American football coach
- Big Mac MacQuiston: American professional wrestler
- Jeff MacQuiston: American singer-songwriter
- David MacQuiston: American painter and sculptor
- Bill MacQuiston: American actor
- Christian MacQuiston: American film set dresser
- Tom MacQuiston: American stage and screen actor