Surname McGinness - Meaning and Origin

McGinness: What does the surname McGinness mean?

The surname McGinness is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Aonghusa," which translates to "Son of Aonghus." The name Aonghus itself means "exceptionally strong," derived from the Gaelic elements "oen" meaning one and "gus" meaning strength or force. Therefore, the last name McGinness has connotations of strength and power. It first originated in County Down in the Province of Ulster, where the McGinness clan held familial seat from ancient times. Usage of 'Mc' or 'Mac' in Gaelic names signifies 'son of,' a common tradition in Gaelic patronymic surnames. Over time, it evolved into several forms based on regional and dialectical variances, including Magennis, Guinness, McGenis, and others. Like many Irish surnames, it became widespread due to the historical emigration of Irish people. Today, the surname McGinness is found in many parts of the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

McGinness: Where does the name McGinness come from?

The surname McGinness (also spelled as McGuinness, Maginnis, or McInnis), originated in Ireland. It is derived from the Old Gaelic "MagAonghusa," with "Mag" meaning son of, and "Aonghusa" being a personal name meaning "unique choice." Thus, the name signifies "son of Angus."

The family was primarily concentrated in County Down, Northern Ireland during the Middle Ages, protecting the Ulster province border. They held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman invasion in 1172. After the 17th century, the name spread to other regions due to emigration.

Today, the McGinness surname can be found predominantly in Ireland, and in countries with a substantial Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Significant populations of people bearing the McGinness name reside in the U.S states of New York and Massachusetts and the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria. Besides, the prevalence of McGuinness in County Down and Belfast in Northern Ireland and in other parts of the UK, including Greater London and Lancashire, is high.

Variations of the surname McGinness

The surname McGinness has Irish origins and has undergone various spelling variations throughout history. While its original Gaelic form was Mag Aonghusa or Mag Aonghuis, which translates to "son of Angus", the name evolved depending on the phonetic interpretations and regional accents of those recording it.

Some of the common variants include Magennis, Guinness, MacGenis, MacGennis, MacGuiness, McGennis, McGuiness, McInnis, McInnes, McKinness, MacInness, MacInnes, MacAngus, McAngus and even Makganes. Besides these, Anglicised versions such as Gainous, Genis, Gennis, and Jennison can also be found.

These names have spread across the globe, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, where Irish diaspora have settled throughout history. Each change in spelling and country-specific modification contributes to the rich tapestry of the McGinness surname, giving each version its unique historical context and significance.

However, irrespective of the variant or spelling, these names all have a shared root in the ancient Gaelic "Mag Aonghusa." Therefore, the core cultural, historical, and linguistic origins of these surnames remain rooted in Ireland.

Famous people with the name McGinness

• Doug McGinness: an American journalist known mainly for his work as a reporter and anchor for the television stations WPVI-TV, WCPO-TV, WXIX-TV and WKRC-TV.
• Dan McGinness: a British-Irish guitarist, primarily known for his work with The Beatles.
• Joe McGinness: executive director and co-founder of the Rhode Island Youth Development Center.
• Chris McGinness: an American former professional lacrosse player and member of the National Lacrosse League's Philadelphia Wings.
• James McGinness: a former major league baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox during the 1934 season.
• Ruth McGinness: a Jamaican singer and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members of the Reggae and R&B band, Third World.
• Stanley McGinness: a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs in 1940.
• William McGinness: a British-Australian historian and author, noted for his books on the history of the British Empire and its settlements in Australasia.
• Harvey McGinness: an Australian-American film producer, best known for producing the Australian films "Rise and Shine" and "Lest We Forget".
• Elliott McGinness: a Canadian politician who served as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1968 to 1972.

Other surnames

McGinnes