Surname McAnear - Meaning and Origin
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McAnear: What does the surname McAnear mean?
The last name McAnear is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name 'Mac Aonghusa'. The name is often translated to mean "son of Aonghus" in English.
The personal name Aonghus is derived from the Gaelic 'enghus' which has a variety of meanings, depending on the dialect. Popular interpretations include "one choice" or "uncommon strength".
The McAnear surname has a long history in the Irish culture, and can be traced back to the Gaelic Sept of Ui Fidhgeinte, a branch of the Southern Ui Neill. During the 16th century, when the English invaded Ireland, the McAnear family was dispersed and forced to resettle in other parts of the country, and their name changed to the anglicised form McAnear. As a result, the name can be found in many parts of Ireland today, although it is mainly concentrated in the counties of Leitrim and Donegal.
Outside of Ireland, the McAnear name was taken to various parts of the world by Irish settlers during the 19th and 20th centuries. As a result, the McAnear name can now be found all over the United States, Australia, Canada, and other countries with large Irish diaspora populations.
In summary, the McAnear surname is a derivation of the Irish Gaelic 'Mac Aonghusa' and means "son of Aonghus". The name originally belonged to the O'Fidhgeinte Septs of the Southern Ui Neill. After being dispersed during the English invasion of Ireland, the McAnear family resettled in various parts of the country and their name changed to the anglicised form McAnear. The surname is now found all over the world, thanks to the migrant history of the Irish people.
Order DNA origin analysisMcAnear: Where does the name McAnear come from?
The last name McAnear is primarily found in the United States, with the highest concentration of the surname existing in the South Central region.
In particular, McAnear is common in Southern states like Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. There are also scattered McAnear families throughout Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, and Texas. The surname is generally said to have first appeared in the mid 19th century in some of the Southern states. The family name is derived from the root Mac-an-Air, which in Gaelic means “son of the one on the steep slope”. This is likely a reference to the Irish and Scottish locations that the family name hails from.
McAnear is not common outside of North America, but there are small pockets of the surname scattered throughout the Americas. A few of these families are found in Mexico, Canada, and some Caribbean islands.
The last name McAnear is of Scottish and Irish origin, and as such has been preserved in the United States for well over a century. It is likely to remain popular in Southern states for many years to come.
Variations of the surname McAnear
McAnear is an anglicized spelling of the Gaelic Irish surname Mac an Eathair, meaning "son of the father". It is derived from the ancient Celtic name Macca, an old Irish personal name, and eathair, meaning father. The surname is inextricably connected to County Meath, where it is still found in the present day. The original Irish form of the surname was Mac Aneair, which became anglicised to Macanear or MacAnear.
Variants and other spellings of the surname include: McAnear, MacAnear, McAnir, MacAnir, MacAneir, McEaner, MacEaner, MacEanir, MacEinir, MacKeaner, McKeaner, McKeanir, McKeneir and MacKeeneir.
The surname is also spelled MacAneary, MacKineary, McKinner, McKinnere, MacCinner, McKinnair, McKinnar, McKenair, McKenar, McKenire, MacAneery and McEnery.
Common surnames associated with McAnear include Conner, Connors, Connelly, Connor, Conelly, Conally, Conoly, O'Connor, O'Connolly and O'Conner.
In Scotland, the more traditional Anglicised spelling is McInair, whilst in Northern Ireland, the Ulster-Scots variants are McKane, McKean and MacKain. In the now extinct Irish language, other variants such as Mac an Eo, MacEanra and MacEneare were also used.
Famous people with the name McAnear
- Elias McAnear: Actor, best known for his role in The Pirate Queen.
- Jordon McAnear: Country music singer-songwriter
- Kaylee McAnear: Singer-songwriter, actress and model
- George McAnear: Actor and Director of Photography
- Foster McAnear: Football Player
- Kendra McAnear: Writer and Activist
- Katy McAnear: Actress and Recording Artist
- Joanne McAnear: Author and Journalist
- Loren McAnear: Professional Wrestler
- Bella McAnear: Producer and Editor
- Michael McAnear: Comedian
- Sean McAnear: Actor and Model
- Jack McAnear: TV and Film Producer
- David McAnear: BBVA Compass CEO
- Brian McAnear: Chef and Television Host