Surname McCuan - Meaning and Origin

McCuan: What does the surname McCuan mean?

McCuan (also spelled as McCuen, MacCuan, or McCoyan) is a surname of Scottish or Irish origin. The name is derived from an early form of the Gaelic surname which can be translated as “son of Cuain” or “son of the hound.” Cuain in turn was derived from the Gaelic word for hound, “cu” meaning hound.

The surname is associated with the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland, and is particularly strong in Fermanagh, Tyrone, Antrim, and Derry. It is also fairly common in Scotland, especially in Angus, Perthshire, and Aberdeenshire.

McCuens have been prominent in many areas of life. Notable McCuans include the poet and archbishop Ronald Knox; rebel leader William McCuen; and the astronomer Edward Pigott McCuen. The McCuan family also figured prominently in the War of 1812, fighting on the side of the United States. Later members of the family served in the civil war, the Spanish-American War, and World Wars I and II.

McCuan is a name with deep roots in Irish and Scottish history, sure to be cherished and remembered through the generations.

McCuan: Where does the name McCuan come from?

The surname McCuan is most commonly found in the United States, specifically in North Carolina and Kentucky. First appearing in the 1800s, the name may have had Scottish roots. It has survived to the modern day and is still used by many families.

In the United States, the McCuan name is relatively uncommon, with approximately 871 individuals and 233 households bearing the name as of the latest census. Around 90% of this population resides in North Carolina, with the remaining 10% found in Kentucky.

Meanwhile, the surname does exist in Canada as well, although in much lower numbers. According to the most recent Canadian census, there are only 35 individuals and 7 households with the name McCuan.

In Great Britain, McCuan is the least common among all three countries, with a total of 8 individuals and 3 households recorded.

From the historical roots of the name in Scotland to its limited, scattered existence in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, it is clear that the last name McCuan retains a significant meaning for those who have or are descended from those who have used the name. As more and more generations pass, it is important to remember the importance of family ties and ensure the legacy of the McCuan name still survives.

Variations of the surname McCuan

The surname McCuan is of Irish origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin.

Variants of the surname include McCowan, McCown, McQueen, and Mann. Spellings of the name with varying accents include MacCoan, Machown, and McCuon. Surnames of a similar origin include McCoury, McCurdy, McGowan, and McEwen.

Variants of the surname could be linked to a distinct region in Ireland, such as County Mayo or County Antrim. For instance, the McEwen family has roots based in Ulster, while the McGowan family may be traced back to County Armagh, and McCoury to County Cavan.

The spelling of McCuan, and similar surnames, could also be determined by the Irish dialect of the respective ancestors. For example, the phrase MacCuain could be written MacCuine in the Erse language common in County Tyrone, and spelt with double consonants for emphasis in some areas of Northern Ireland, namely Counties Antrim and Down.

In Scotland, the McCuan surname is also known to have originated, where spellings of the name may include MacCouan and MacCuen. This surname can also be found in American records and may have developed due to Irish immigration and further anglicised into the McCuan (McCuean) spelling.

Famous people with the name McCuan

• Thomas McCuan: Professional Motocross Racer
• Beau McCuan: Actor
• Chase McCuan: Singer/Song-Writer
• Mary McCuan: Artist/Writer
• Amber McCuan: Professional Drummer
• Logan McCuan: Professional Football Player
• Gabe McCuan: Professional Golfer
• Tom McCuan: Professional Photographer
• Brianna McCuan: Singer-Songwriter
• Jason McCuan: Actor/Comedian

Other surnames

McCuaig