Surname MacSween - Meaning and Origin
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MacSween: What does the surname MacSween mean?
The last name MacSween is of Scottish origin and is said to be derived from the personal name Suibhne, which means "pleasant or well-disposed" in Gaelic. The 'Mac' prefix means "son of," hence MacSween translates to "son of Suibhne." The MacSweens were an ancient and notable clan in the Scottish Highlands. Their roots can be traced back to the 13th century where their ancestral home was Castle Sween on Loch Sween in Argyll. After losing their lands in the 13th century, many members of the clan spread across Scotland and Ireland. Today, many people with the MacSween surname can be found in these countries as well as others like the United States, Canada, and Australia where Scottish immigrants have settled. Variations of the surname include MacQueen, MacSweeny, MacSwyne, and MacSweeney. Despite the different spellings, the meaning remains the same - "son of Suibhne".
Order DNA origin analysisMacSween: Where does the name MacSween come from?
The last name MacSween originates from Scotland, specifically from the Scottish region of Argyll. A derivative of the Old Norse personal name "Sveinn," meaning "boy" or "servant," it was often given to someone who served a powerful individual.
The MacSween surname began with Suibhne, an 11th-century lord of Knapdale. His descendants became known as Mac Suibhne ("the son of Suibhne") or MacSween. The MacSweens were a powerful family during the Middle Ages, known for their dominance over Loch Sween and the surrounding area.
In the late 13th century, the MacSweens lost their territories in Scotland and many of them moved to Ireland where they established the powerful MacSweeney Clan in Donegal.
Today, the surname MacSween and its various spelling forms (MacSweeney, Macqueen, etc.) are found mainly in Scotland and Ireland. But due to emigration over centuries, it also appears in other English-speaking countries like Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname MacSween
The surname MacSween is of Scottish origin and is a branch of the MacDonalds in West Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic 'MacSuibhne' meaning 'Son of Suibhne'. Over time and through translations, several variants and spellings of the surname have evolved.
Alternate spellings of the surname MacSween may include MacSwen, McSween, MacSwyne, MacSwan, McSwane, McSwan, and McSwean.
The surname can also be written with or without the 'Mac' prefix, for example, Sweeney, Sweeny, Sweiney, or Swiney.
The 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix can be translated to 'son of,' thus the surname can also be rendered as 'Swanson' in English.
The surname MacSween may also be anglicized as MacQueen, resulting from the phonetic similarity between 'Suibhne' and 'Queen'.
It's also worth noting that due to the variations in Gaelic spelling, it can also be spelled as MacSuibhne, Mac Sween, Mc Sween, MacSweeny, McSweeny, MacSwyny, and MacSuing.
There are also alternative spellings based on geographical region and phonetic translations, like MacSweeny, McSwyny, MacSwinney, amongst others.
Famous people with the name MacSween
- Jo MacSween: A highly-popular businesswoman based in Scotland, she is renowned for her family's haggis brand, Macsween of Edinburgh, and her contributions to the food industry. Furthermore, she has made appearances on food-based TV shows and radio programs.
- James MacSween: James is a Scottish businessman known for operating his family's haggis-making business, Macsween of Edinburgh.
- Alister MacSween: A professional Canadian Football League player who played for the Montreal Alouettes.
- Jean MacSween: An author well-known for her book “My Heart Is Yours”. Please note that the list is not exhaustive and does not include people who are not widely recognized or who keep a low profile. Similarly, records and availability of information about people bearing the "MacSween" surname might vary, limiting the length of the list. The MacSween surname is believed to have Scottish origins. The family traces their roots back to Somerled of Argyll, the 12th Century 'King of the Isles', and it is more common in the Scottish territories than elsewhere.