Surname McCowyn - Meaning and Origin
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McCowyn: What does the surname McCowyn mean?
The last name McCowyn is of Scottish origin and has various spelling variations. It is derived from the Gaelic surname “MacUaithne”, which is composed of two elements: “mac”, which means “son of” and “Uaithne”, which is thought to have been a personal name of ancient origin. This could also be a form of the ancient Irish Uaithne, which meant “green” or “fresh”.
When the name was taken up by the Scots, it likely referred to an individual who was associated with green or fresh land or abundance of greenery. This could be someone who was the direct descendant of a particular chieftain, who held territory whose borders included a large amount of open land with numerous meadows and pastures.
The name can be found in Ireland in many different forms, including “MacUaithneán” and “MacGunn”. It is believed that the original spelling was “MacOathne”, meaning “son of green”.
The common modern spelling of McCowyn, is an Anglicized version of the original Gaelic spelling. It is found throughout the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Today, the name McCowyn is most commonly associated with Scottish clans and families that have traditionally held positions of influence in the region.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCowyn: Where does the name McCowyn come from?
The surname McCowyn is most commonly found in the United States. In particular, this surname is most heavily concentrated in the state of Texas, though it can also be found in other states.
According to a survey conducted in 2000, there were 1,103 people bearing the surname McCowyn living in the United States. In Texas alone, there were 843 people recorded with the name. The states with the highest concentration of this surname are Texas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
McCowyn appears to have both Irish and Scottish roots. It is believed to have been derived from the Mac Eoghain clan, a group of families associated with the Irish province of Ulster. Similarly, the name may have originated in Scotland, where it had associations with the Clan Mac Cowan.
The McCowyn family name was first found in County Mayo. The first recorded instance of this name appears to have been Mahon McGowan, who was listed as a tenant of Castlerea in the survey of County Roscommon, conducted in 1664.
Throughout the twentieth century and in the present day, the surname McCowyn remains relatively rare and is mainly found in the United States. The United States is where the most significant concentration of the name is encountered today.
Variations of the surname McCowyn
The surname McCowyn is derived from the Irish Mac Eoghain and translates as “son of Eoghain.” Variations and alternate spellings for the surname include MacCoeen, MacCowen, MacCunn, MacKown, MacKwown and MacKwinn.
The most common Anglicised version of the name McCowyn is MacCoeen, a name thought to have originated in Northern Ireland. Other popular Anglicised forms include MacKown, MacKwown, and MacCunn.
The origin of the name McCowyn comes from the Gaelic prefix Mac, which meant “son of” added to the personal name Eoghain, from “eógan”, meaning “born of the yew-tree” which was most used in Western Scotland and became more popular throughout Scotland and Ireland in the early 1700s.
The surname McCowyn is also commonly found in Scotland as MacKwinn, an Anglicization of the Gaelic Mac Eoghain. In some parts of Ireland, it is known as MacEoghain, and variant spellings include MacKeown, MacKeowne, and others.
McCowyn is most common in Southern Scotland and Northern Ireland, though it is popular throughout Scotland and Ireland. It has also been found in some areas of Europe, including Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.
In America, variants of the name McCowyn can be found, including MacCowen and MacKown. It is rarely found in Britain but is most commonly seen in Canada. The Scottish version of the McCowyn surname is also seen in America, with the name MacKwown.
McCowyn is a Gaelic surname which has been variations over time, with some derivatives being more popular in certain parts of the world. The main variants of the name remain the same, with some variants being found in areas where it is rare.
Famous people with the name McCowyn
- Dylan McCowyn: professional ice hockey player with the Milwaukee Admirals.
- Dan McCowyn: professional goaltender in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings.
- Jimmy McCowyn: former NBA player with the New Jersey Nets.
- Mackenzie McCowyn: two-time Olympic gold medalist in freestyle skiing.
- Calvin McCowyn: chart-topping pop singer and songwriter.
- Mark McCowyn: famous actor known for roles in films such as Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Big Fan.
- Malcolm McCowyn: Emmy-nominated actor for his role in The West Wing.
- Yolanda McCowyn: model, actress and philanthropist, best known for her role in the movie Always.
- Sherry McCowyn: Grammy-nominated country singer and songwriter.
- Bobby McCowyn: pitchman, radio personality and comedian of the 1950s and 1960s.