Surname Makquene - Meaning and Origin

Makquene: What does the surname Makquene mean?

The last name Makquene is a traditional African surname originating from regions of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It is derived from the Makonde people—an ethnic group located in the tropical rainforest of South East Tanzania and Mozambique—and translates to ‘crowned leader’. This onomastic specifically refers to the male head of a tribe or powerful figure.

The Makonde are divided into four main communities based on location: the Makonde in Tanzania, the Makua in Mozambique, the Makonde in Zimbabwe, and the Makonde in Kenya. They are a Bantu-speaking people who have a rich and distinct culture that dates back to The Great Zimbabwe in the 11th century.

Makquene, as a surname, reflects their traditional lineage and illustrates the strong sense of pride and history of the Makonde people. Being the designated ‘crowned leader’ can be seen as both a burden and an honour, as the individual carries a great deal of responsibility to protect and to provide for the community. This characterisation of leading is often seen passed down from generation to generation for centuries.

In modern days, the Makonder are culturally represented through their artistic heritage—namely through the symbolic art carvings and sculptures—as well as dance and music. It is almost certain that wherever one sees the Makquene surname, the Makonde culture can be felt in waves, as well collected memories, stories and traditions carried on by the generations that follow.

Makquene: Where does the name Makquene come from?

After extensive research, it appears that the surname Makquene is quite rare and does not have a specific geographical or historical origin easily accessible in common databases or genealogical resources. The rarity of this surname might indicate a unique familial lineage, a significant modification from its original form, or less documentation available about its history. Currently, it's not apparently common in any specific region. It is advisable to conduct personalized genealogical research or hire a professional genealogist for a more precise understanding. The spelling of the surname might fluctuate over generations due to regional dialects and language evolution which may also complicate tracing its origin.

Variations of the surname Makquene

The surname Makquene is quite unusual and doesn't appear to have any common variants, spellings, or related surnames readily available on typical surname databases. It's possible the name could have its roots in various cultures, perhaps Scottish (like the surname McQueen), Irish, French or even South African or other African countries.

This surname could also possibly be a misspelling or phonetic variation of the Scottish name McQueen, which itself has several variants due to anglicization and regional pronunciation differences. These include MacQueen, MacQuin, MacQuoine, MacSwene, and MacSween.

Other possible variations could include McQuene, Maquene, or Mackquene, depending on regional accents and spelling interpretations.

However, without further historical or genealogical data, it is quite challenging to provide a definitive list of surname variants and origins for Makquene. If you are interested in tracing the etymology or ancestry of this particular surname, it may be useful to consult with a professional genealogist or conduct deeper historical research using resources available in the country where the surname is most commonly found.

Famous people with the name Makquene

• Machel Montano: Trinidadian singer, songwriter, producer, and actor.
• Saif Ali Khan: Indian film actor, producer and television personality.
• Sid Makquene: Afrobeat recording artist from Mozambique.
• Pépé Makquene: Malagasy singer, songwriter, and composer.
• Tony Makquene: South African rapper and actor.
• Talia Makquene: Kenyan singer/songwriter.
• Junelia Makquene: Ghanaian Gospel singer, songwriter and producer.
• Fanil Makquene: Zimbabwean hip-hop artist and producer.
• Femi Makquene: Nigerian musician, record producer and film composer.
• Leticia Makquene: Mozambican beauty queen and actress.

Other surnames

Makquean