Surname McGuines - Meaning and Origin
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McGuines: What does the surname McGuines mean?
The last name McGuines is of Irish origin, specifically from the Province of Connacht. The name McGuines derives from the Gaelic rendering of the Irish surname “Mac Aonghusa” meaning “son of Angus.” The history of the surname reveals that members of the McGuines family were originally prominent in the Luighne region of Connacht.
The McGuines family is an ancient and distinguished name. The branches of the family came to prominence in Connacht in the Lesser Highland area of the province. Over three centuries, members of this family gained great political influence in County Mayo and beyond. As they became well established, members of the McGuines family held several appointments such as; hereditary holdings of the local magistracy, military chiefs, mayors of Mayo towns, and even knights.
The McGuines family, through its many notable members, has continuously played an important role in the political and religious activities in Mayo throughout its long history. Many McGuines were active in the Irish political struggles during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the McGuines surname is still found mainly in Mayo and Connacht. Although the original family members have spread to various parts of the world, the name still carries its historic importance to the Irish people.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGuines: Where does the name McGuines come from?
The surname McGuines is not common today, but it originated in Ireland, specifically in County Donegal, during the 18th century. McGuines is an anglicisation of the Gaelic surname Mac Fhionnghaile, which means ‘son of fair geese’ or ‘fair-haired’.
McGuines is still in use in various parts of Ireland, including County Donegal, County May and Monaghan, County Sligo and County Kilkenny. However, due to emigration, the name has spread to other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
It is likely that the McGuines family originated as part of the Donegal Gaels or Gallowglasses – Gaelic mercenaries who were recruited by the Scottish and Irish nobility. Many of these warriors settled in Ireland and their descendants now make up what are known as ‘County Donegal families’.
In Ireland, many people with the surname McGuines still live in County Donegal, mostly in the same villages and towns where the name originated. The majority of McGuines' who have moved abroad still have strong family connections and links back to their ancestral home in County Donegal.
The McGuines family have a rich and interesting history that is still celebrated today by their descendants. It is likely that the name will continue to be passed down through the generations as a reminder of their ancestors’ bravery and resilience.
Variations of the surname McGuines
The surname McGuines (also spelled "McGwines," "McGuinness," and "McGwinn") is an Irish surname derived from the Irish-Gaelic MacMaoineach, meaning “Son of the Wealthy One.” The surname is a patronymic, meaning it was based off of an ancestor’s first name.
Variants of the name include Magennis, Maginnis, Maginn, McGinn, and McGinnes. Spellings of the surname may also include Guinnes, McGinnes, McGuinnes, and Gwines.
The surname is common in Ireland, England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. In the United States, the name is most commonly found in states with large Irish populations, such as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
The McGuines surname can be found in the United States in various records from the 1700s, with its earliest immigration record in 1771 and its most recent in the late 1900s. It is believed that the McGuines name first began to be used in the coastal provinces of Ireland, such as Dublin and Cork. It then spread to the Irish diaspora as people sought new opportunities abroad.
There were multiple branches of the McGuines family tree, including branches in Scotland and North America. The branch of the family based in Scotland also may have connections to power and money, as McGuines is often found in records of land acquisitions. The American branch of the family is believed to have arrived in New Jersey and then branched out to other states.
The surname McGuines today is still associated with Irish origins, and is often believed to denote a wealthy or powerful individual. It is a fairly common surname in Ireland and the United States, particularly in areas with large Irish-American populations.
Famous people with the name McGuines
- Kym Marsh: English actress and singer
- Sean McGuinness: Irish television and radio broadcaster
- Terry McGuinness: Canadian actor
- Brendan McGuinness: Irish actor and comedian
- Beattie McGuiness: English writer, model, and composer
- John Charles Mc Guinness: Australian judge and politician
- Johnny McGuiness: Irish hurler
- Maurice McGuinness: Irish writer and historian
- D.C.McGuinness: English footballer
- Sean McGuinness: Irish professional rugby player