Surname Maginniss - Meaning and Origin

Maginniss: What does the surname Maginniss mean?

The surname Maginniss is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Mac Aonghusa. The name is derived from the Gaelic personal name Aonghus, composed of the old Celtic elements "ain" and "guss", meaning "one strength". This surname is associated with the powerful O'Neill clan of Northern Ireland, and is found mainly in counties Antrim, Armagh, Tyrone, and Down.

The O'Neill clan was a powerful ruling family in the north of Ireland for many centuries. During the Middle Ages, they were the most powerful septs of the Ui Neill dynasty, and had a significant presence. In the late 16th century, Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone became leader of the clan, and went on to lead a rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I's forces.

The Maginniss (Mac Aonghusa) family were a sub-sept of the O'Neill sept, so the surname Maginniss is of ancient Irish origin. It is likely that the surname was quite widespread in Northern Ireland during the 19th century.

The name today is carried by people all over the world, and its meaning is generally interpreted to mean "born of strength". It also denotes a strong sense of pride and loyalty to a group and its traditions.

Maginniss: Where does the name Maginniss come from?

The last name Maginniss is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly England. Many small towns in this region contain family lines with this surname. In fact, over 18,700 individuals carry the Maginniss surname.

Most of the time, we can look to historical records to get a general idea of where a last name originated. In the case of Maginniss, records date its origin back to 5,000 years ago in Scotland. The surname is thought to have been derived from the Latin “magnus” meaning “great” or “grand,” indicating someone with a larger-than-life character or a leader in the community.

There are many places in the United Kingdom where Maginniss is still found today. It’s most commonly seen in Scotland, though it can also be found in other areas such as the Isle of Man, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Beyond the United Kingdom, Scotland is one of the top two countries outside Europe where the highest concentration of Maginniss family descendants can be found.

The Maginniss surname is also widely seen in the United States, primarily in the Midwest and Eastern states. The first Maginniss to emigrate to America was John Maginniss, who came to Massachusetts in 1708. Since then, it’s spread around the country though it does remain heavily concentrated in certain regions.

No matter where it’s found today, the historical roots of the Maginniss surname will always be linked to Scotland’s proud Celtic heritage.

Variations of the surname Maginniss

The surname Maginniss is an Irish Anglicised form of the Gaelic surname MagAonghusa, which is translated to mean “son of Angus.” This surname is derived from the ancient Gaelic personal name Aonghus, which is composed of two elements, the Old Irish element “Aon,” meaning “one” or “unity,” and “Ghus,” meaning “choice.”

Variants of the surname Maginniss include the related MacAngus, MacAngeese, MacGeese, MacGinnis, and MacGinnize. Spelling variants of this surname include M’Angus, MacGeoish, M'Geese, and McKinis.

Modern day descendants of the original Maginniss family often refer to themselves as MacAonghusa, Maginnis, Magees, MacGeoish, McKinis, M'Geese or MacGinnis, and many of these names are common among Ireland and Scotland.

In Scotland, MacGinnise is by far the most popular spelling, while in Ireland, it is MacAngus. Other Irish variants include MacAngeese, MacGeese and MacGinnize.

The Maginnisss surname is common throughout Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States. In the United States, it is most common in states with a large concentration of Irish immigrants including Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In the United Kingdom, it is primarily found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Maginniss surname is a tribute to the traditional Irish culture and history and is a reminder of the ingenuity and strength of the Irish people. Although it is not one of the most common surnames, it continues to be carried by generations of Irish descendants and is a proud symbol of the influence of Irish culture on the wider world.

Famous people with the name Maginniss

• Jack Maginniss, American actor
• Eamon Maginniss, Irish former Gaelic football player
• Joe Maginniss, American football coach
• Michael Maginniss, American film composer
• Rob Maginniss, British actor
• Charles Maginniss, American silversmith
• Dave Maginniss, former professional ice hockey goalie
• Erin Maginniss, American visual artist
• Amber Maginniss, Interior Design Manager in Birmingham, UK
• Kimberly Maginniss, Event Coordinator in Hollywood, CA
• Mike Maginniss, co-founder and managing director of Fingerprint Building Solutions, LLC

Other surnames

Maginnis