Surname Main - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
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B. Main
read moreMain: What does the surname Main mean?
The surname Main is of Scottish, English and German origin. In the Scottish and English tradition, the name Main was first found in Midlothian, an historic county. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "mægen" meaning strength or power. It was probably used as a nickname for a strong or powerful person.
The German origin of the name has different theories. Some believe it was a topographic name for someone who lived near a river called "Main", or a habitational name from any of the several places named with this word. In this context, 'Main' is thought to derive from the Celtic word "moina" meaning 'river'.
The surname Main is also found in Ireland where it's an anglicised form of the Gaelic O'Mainnin, which means 'descendant of Mainnin'.
As with many surnames, the interpretation of the name can vary, and it could have been influenced over time by linguistic, geographic, and cultural shifts.
Order DNA origin analysisMain: Where does the name Main come from?
The surname Main originates from the Old English word "megen" which means strength or power. Another source suggests it could have been a name for someone dwelling by a river or stream, inspired by the Old English word “mǣne” meaning “common.” Mostly it is considered to be an Anglo-Saxon name, from the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain, prior to the Norman conquest in the 11th century.
Geographically, its roots can be traced back to places with names like Maine in France, or the River Main in Germany. Therefore, this surname may also be linked to those locations.
Today, the surname Main is predominantly found in the United States, England, and Scotland. Other countries with a considerable presence include Australia, Canada, and South Africa. It is less prevalent in most other countries, including those in Asia, Africa, and South America.
Variations of the surname Main
The surname Main can have different variants, which are often a result of regional pronunciations, transcription errors, translations of the original name, or evolution over time. Some of the variants for the surname Main include Maine, Mayne, Mains, and Mayn. It may also appear as Mann which is quite common in Northern Europe.
The surname Main could also be represented in other languages following their cultural attributes and language structures. For instance, in French, the surname could appear as LeMain or De la Main, both denoting "of the hand" which is the original meaning of Main in French.
It is also potential for Main to be represented as Meine or Mein in German following their language phonetics.
As for its origin, there are two theories. One theory suggests that it originated from the French term "main" meaning "hand", indicating a skilled artisan. Another theory is that it comes from the term "Mayne" or "demesne" referring to land kept by a feudal lord for personal use in medieval England, suggesting the family's ownership of land. Both theories suggest a high social status of the original bearers of the surname.
Famous people with the name Main
- Kevin Main: A renowned American jewelry designer at Kevin Main Jewelry.
- Lenny Main: A well-known British actor who performed in the 'Carry On' franchise films such as 'Carry On Regardless' and 'Carry On Screaming.'
- Armistead B. Main: An American civil engineer best known for designing the Panama Canal's locks.
- Robert Main: A physicist known for defining the Main Sequence, a continuous line of stars appearing on the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram.
- Sybil Main: An American actress popular for her roles in the movies "Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon" (1942) and "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944).
- Adrienne Main: An esteemed professor at the University of South Dakota.
- Jeremy Main: A noted American businessman, notably for his position as the president of the pharmaceutical company, Johnson & Johnson.
- Owen Main: American basketball player who played for Canisius Golden Griffins men's basketball team. Please note that Main isn't a commonly occurring surname for celebrities, making it difficult to find well-known public figures with this last name.