Surname Magness - Meaning and Origin

Magness: What does the surname Magness mean?

The surname Magness is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mag Aonghuis," which translates to "son of Angus." The name Angus is composed of Celtic elements meaning “one” and “choice,” hence it can be interpreted as unique choice. Over time, the Gaelic name Mag Aonghuis was anglicized to Magness. It is predominantly found in regions of Scotland (part of the U.K where Gaelic language was spoken) and Ireland. Like many surnames, it started as a patronymic name, passed down from the original bearer to his descendants. Like other surnames of this form, variations of the spelling may include MacAngus, McAngus, and others. Remember, the meaning of a surname often sheds light on the history, location, occupation or status of the family line but should not be taken as a literal definition of an individual bearing the surname today.

Magness: Where does the name Magness come from?

The surname Magness is of Scottish origin, derived from the personal name Magnus, which has its roots in Old Norse and can be traced back to the Viking invasions of Britain. Magnus is a Latin word meaning "great," and was a popular given name among Nordic cultures during the medieval period. The surname Magness originated from the habit of naming individuals based on their occupations or a variety of personal characteristics.

The Magness family was found to have significant presence in Scotland, specifically in the islands region. The family lived in the Shetland Islands where the they held a family seat from early times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In modern times, the last name Magness can be found in many English-speaking countries. The greatest concentration of people with the last name Magness is in the United States, followed by England and Australia. Although the surname is not common, Magness households are most prevalent in North Carolina, followed by Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma within the United States. So, while it has spread globally, the name relatively remains rare.

Variations of the surname Magness

The surname Magness has several alternate spellings, variants, and surnames of similar origin. Some of the common spellings and variants include Magnus, Magnes, MacMagnus, Magnuss, Magnusson, and Magnison. There are also other alternative spellings such as Magnusen, Magnesen and Magne.

The surname also has similar root in Scandinavian and Germanic languages as it is derived from the personal name 'Magnus', which means 'great' in Latin. The Norwegian variant of the surname is Magnussen, while the Swedish version is Magnuson. In Denmark, the surname is typically spelled as Magnussen.

Some other variant surnames include McManus and Manus which derived from the Gaelic name Maghnuis. In Scotland, the Gaelic form of the surname is MacMhagnuis, which is often Anglicized as MacManus, McManus, or simply Manus.

It's important to note that although these surnames may share a common origin, they have been adopted, adapted and modified in different geographical regions and cultures, hence they may have developed unique meanings or connotations attached to them in these specific contexts.

Famous people with the name Magness

• James Magness: the former vice president of the United States who served under Jimmy Carter.
• Steve Magness: a professional track and field coach, runner, and consultant.
• Mykelti Williamson: an American actor best known for his roles on television series such as "24," "Boomtown," and "Justified."
• Charles Magness: an American composer and conductor who wrote a number of concert works and works for film and television.
• Johnny Magness: a Nashville-based guitarist and songwriter who has performed with a number of country music stars including Billy Ray Cyrus and The Band Perry.
• Dean Magness: a filmmaker, writer, and producer who has worked on films such as "The Hangover" and "Speed Racer."
• Charlie Magness: a professional race car driver and team owner who has competed in multiple IndyCar races.
• Matt Magness: a professional triathlete and Ironman finisher who has completed races all over the world.
• Matt Magness: an American singer and songwriter who is best known for his work with the pop rock band Attack Attack!
• Chris Magness: an American basketball coach, most recently with the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA.

Other surnames

Magnes