Surname McGoon - Meaning and Origin
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McGoon: What does the surname McGoon mean?
The last name McGoon is derived from the Irish Gaelic “Mag Ughaine” which was an old personal name meaning “man of Ogham”. Ogham was an ancient form of writing used in Ireland from around the fourth to the tenth century. This writing form is thought to have been used for a variety of things such as legal documents, carving inscriptions into stone monuments, and even for magical purposes.
The McGoon surname is most prominently associated with the Ulster province of Ireland where it is believed to have originated. It is still relatively common there today, and the McGoons often take pride in their Irish lineage. Today, the Irish McGoons are a close-knit group whose members are proud of their origins and strive to keep their culture alive and well.
Although the origin of the McGoon name is still unclear, it is believed to be derived from the old Irish Gaelic name of Mag Ughaine and is associated with the province of Ulster. It is also associated with a sense of pride in one's heritage and a strong connection to Ireland. Although the Irish Gaelic spelling of the surname has changed over time, the name McGoon still reflects the original vision of its parents: a proud Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGoon: Where does the name McGoon come from?
The last name McGoon is mainly found in America, with fewer occurrences in other parts of the world. It is believed to have originated in the British Isles. It is most common in the central and southwestern states, with the highest concentration in South Carolina.
McGoon is an unusual name and there is no definitive explanation of its origin. Some sources suggest that the name is derived from the Scots Gaelic "MacGunn," which could have come from the Irish Mac Dhubhghaill or Mac Goon, meaning "son of the black foreigner." It could also be a variant of McGonigle, or McGonegal, from the Irish Mac Tamhais meaning "son of Thomas."
Historically, McGoon was found mainly in Scotland and Ireland. A group of McGoons from Scotland immigrated to the United States in the late 18th century, settling in South Carolina. Since then, the name has spread throughout the US, with large numbers of McGoons living in other states such as Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and Ohio.
There is also a small community of McGoons in Ireland, with the largest group residing in County Antrim. In Scotland, the name is found mainly in the North-Eastern and Western regions. It is also used in parts of Wales, Cornwall, and Devon.
Today, the last name McGoon continues to have a strong presence in America. It has become a familiar sight in state and city records, with many instances of people claiming the name as their own. It is curious that the name has had such persistence in the United States, and has gained increasing attention in recent years.
Variations of the surname McGoon
The surname McGoon is believed to have originated in Scotland and Ireland and is derived from the Gaelic name MacGunn. Variations of this surname include MacGon, MacGoon, MacGunn, McCune, Angevine, McKanes, MacQuinn, McGone, McQueeney and McGhie.
The most commonly used variations of the surname McGoon are MacGoon and MacGunn. The spelling of this surname has changed over time due to the Gaelic language's natural adaptability. Different dialects, local accents, and English translations of the name have all had an influence on the spelling. Some spellings of this surname have been shortened and Anglicized to more closely resemble English names. In Northern Ireland some of the variations of the surname have become McGoan or McGoen.
Soundex coding has further modified some of the surnames, with McGon becoming McKane and McGone becoming McQueeney. McGoon has also been mistaken for McGhie, an anglicization of the more commonly used MacGhee.
The Irish translation of McGoon is Mac Gaoithín, meaning “son of the small wind”. In Scotland, McGoon is sometimes associated with MacGudgeon, derived from the Gaelic MacGuthain, which means “son of the dark one”. There are other possible regional origins of the surname, as well, including derived from the Irish medieval Gaelic MacCon, which is the Gaelic form of the Welsh personal name Conan.
There are various other surnames of the same origin as McGoon, including McColgan, MacQuarrie, Magennis, Maginnis, Magill, McGuinness, McGuire and Molloy.
Famous people with the name McGoon
- Aaron McGoon: Professional ice hockey player for the California Shamrocks of the Federal Prospects Hockey League
- Kirstie McGoon: American stage actress, known for her roles in Spring Awakening: The Musical and Beauty and the Beast
- Jay McGoon: Pop vocalist who has won 8 Grammy Awards
- Tim McGoon: Former NFL defensive end who played for the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions
- John McGoon: PGA Golf Professional and winner of the PGA Championship in 1940
- Kyle McGoon: Racing driver with wins in Formula 3 and the Formula 2 series
- Raymond McGoon: American Air Force pilot who flew spy missions during the Cold War
- Steve McGoon: Singer and songwriter who has released two chart-topping albums
- Mary Jane McGoon: Children's book author and illustrator best known for the Caldecott Award-winning book, A Pocket for corduroy
- Chris McGoon: Entrepreneur and founder of several technology companies including the popular online marketplace RocketHub