Surname MacSum - Meaning and Origin

MacSum: What does the surname MacSum mean?

The last name MacSum is an Anglicized form of the Scottish and Irish surname MacThamhnais, meaning “son of Thomas.” The name MacThamhnais is composed of two Gaelic words, Mac, meaning “son of” and Thamhnais, meaning “Thomas.”

The MacThamhnais surname first began to be used in the 1500s. In Gaelic, the name arose from the Gaelic term “mac an t-Seamhnair” which means "son of the twin," a reference to the twin sons of the prophet Thomas who were among the earliest inhabitants of Scotland.

The MacThamhnais clan was originally based in the province of Angus in Scotland and was well known for its bravery and honor in battle. The clan took part in many battles including the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 where they fought on the side of Robert the Bruce.

The clan eventually spread out across Scotland and Ireland where they settled in what is now known as MacSum country. Here, the clan was renowned for its excellent fishing and merchant skills, which helped them to prosper.

Today, the surname MacSum is still found in Scotland and Ireland but is also widespread throughout North America, Latin America and Australia. It is a reminder of the proud history of this ancient clan and their everlasting legacy.

MacSum: Where does the name MacSum come from?

The last name MacSum does not appear to be recognized as a valid or common surname currently or historically. It's possible that the name may have been misspelled or mistranslated. "Mac" is traditionally a prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames where it denotes "son of". If the name is indeed correct, it could potentially denote "son of Sum". However, there's no record of any person, culture, or region recognized with the surname "Sum" either.

If it's supposed to be 'MacSween' or 'MacSwan,' that would make sense as both are traditional Scottish surnames. 'MacSween' originates from the Scottish Gaelic MacSuibhne, meaning 'son of Suibhne.' The personal name Suibhne is thought to be derived from the words 'suibh,' meaning 'pleasant,' and 'ne,' meaning 'master.'

Similarly, MacSwan may be an anglicized form of the Old Gaelic MacSween. Today, surnames such as MacSween or MacSwan are most common in countries with Scottish or Irish diaspora, such as the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

It's advisable to check the spelling, historical records, or region to gain an accurate origin and to verify the prevalence today.

Variations of the surname MacSum

The surname "MacSum" is quite unusual and does not appear to have established variants or different spellings. It may be of Scottish or Irish origin tracing back to the patronymic system where 'Mac' means 'son of'. The exact meaning or origin of "Sum" is unclear, as it doesn't align perfectly with any known Scottish or Irish surnames.

Alternatively, it could be a variant of the surname MacSween or McSwain, where English or American phonetic spelling variations have occurred over time. It might also be a shortened version of the surname McAllister, with "sum" replacing the "-sister" part of the name.

If "Sum" is derived from the word 'summer', it could be similar to the surname Maccus, derived from the Latin for big hammer, that has evolved into several variances including MacCooish, MacCooey, and MacCuish.

It's quite possible that "MacSum" has individual derivation caused by geographical relocation, illiteracy in ancestors, or immigration officials changing the spelling upon arrival to English-speaking countries. Thus, the potential variants and spellings of this name can be numerous due to the many factors affecting surname evolution.

All this interpretation is speculative due to the rarity of this surname. More definitive origin details might be available with personal genealogical research.

Famous people with the name MacSum

• Maura MacSum: Maura MacSum is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. She's also one half of the musical duo Sonder with Chermayeff.
• Linton-MacSum: Linton-MacSum is a British-American composer known for notable works such as Song of Exaltation, Stark Landscapes, and Cirque de Mon.
• Natacha MacSum: Natacha MacSum is an actress and film producer who has had parts in several films such as The Little Stranger and 12 Monkeys.
• Grant MacSum: Grant MacSum is a Scottish actor who has appeared in popular films such as Tron: Legacy, 28 Weeks Later, and Snow White and the Huntsman.
• Bryce MacSum: Bryce MacSum is an American voice actor and singer who is best known for lending his voice to television shows such as Regular Show and Clarence.
• Holly MacSum: Holly MacSum is a model and social media star who has appeared in numerous fashion shows as well as campaigns from companies such as Revolve.
• Lawrence MacSum: Lawrence MacSum is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He's best known for competing in the UFC and Bellator MMA.
• Abigail MacSum: Abigail MacSum is an American author most well known for her novels Young Adult Elite, Hereafter, and Legend of the Deluvian.
• Patricia MacSum: Patricia MacSum is an American singer and songwriter who has released albums such as Love, and House of the Soul.
• Gray MacSum: Gray MacSum is a Canadian actor best known for starring in the television show Charmed and the movie The Revenant.

Other surnames

MacSuainMacSuin