Surname McGwinn - Meaning and Origin

McGwinn: What does the surname McGwinn mean?

The last name McGwinn is an Anglicized Irish surname that originated in Ulster during the 17th century. It is derived from the Irish “Mac Thomaidh Ghuinn”, meaning “son of Thomas Quinn”. The Quinns were an ancient Gaelic Clan from Northern Ireland. The family name is found in County Tyrone, as well as other parts of Ireland, Scotland and beyond.

The McGwinns were an enterprising family who were likely involved in trade and mercantile activities. As such, they likely prospered financially at the beginning, but the family lost their wealth in the turbulent years after the Irish Famine.

Despite the struggles faced by the McGwinns, the family remained prominent throughout the early 20th century due to their continued involvement in trade and industry. Many members of the family went into military service and investors began to purchase land in County Tyrone for various business endeavors.

Today, the McGwinns continue to remain an influential family in Northern Ireland. Their name also lives on in the diaspora, particularly in the United States of America where many of the family members have since resettled. Interestingly, members of the family who have emigrated overseas have managed to keep their Irish heritage alive by celebrating their spiritual culture.

In summary, the McGwinns are a powerful and resilient Irish family with a strong sense of identity and patriotism. Their past and present contributions to Northern Ireland are immeasurable and should be remembered and celebrated.

McGwinn: Where does the name McGwinn come from?

The last name McGwinn is most commonly found today in the Scottish Highlands. It is an ancient name derived from the Gaelic MacDubhGhaill. The Mac prefix in the name indicates that the bearer was an individual of importance within the Clan.

McGwinn is primarily found in the Scottish Highlands but it is also found in many other parts of the world such as Canada, the United States, England, Ireland, and Australia. In Scotland the majority of McGwinns reside in the Highlands and Islands regions, with the majority living in Inverness-shire, Ross & Cromarty, Aberdeenshire, and the Orkney Islands.

In the United States, McGwinns can be found scattered throughout the country, particularly heavily concentrated in the states of Virginia and Tennessee.

McGwinn is an uncommon and fairly rare surname. According to a records search, fewer than 120 people in the United States bear the McGwinn surname. As a result, many McGwinns can trace their lineage back to a common ancestor and often share a deep connection to their Scottish Highland heritage.

Variations of the surname McGwinn

McGwinn is a surname of Irish origins. It is most commonly found in County Dublin and surrounding parts of Ireland. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for McGwinn include MacGwin, MacGwinn, McGwinn, Magwain, Magwin, McGwaine, Magwaine and McGwaines.

McGwinn is derived from the Irish name MacGiofaodhain which was anglicised to MacGwion and finally to McGwinn. This name is thought to be derived from the personal name Giolla Æduin which translates as the “devotee of St. Ædwin.” The surname is derived from the Irish phrase "Mac Giofaodh, meaning “son of Giofaod” and was often used to represent an anglicised Irish version of the surname.

The variants and alternate spellings of the surname McGwinn indicate a variety of different branches of the same family. These variations likely existed due to the decreasing literacy levels in Ireland during the 18th and 19th centuries and the inability of many people to spell their own names correctly. This gave rise to a number of spellings of the same name, which is something that is very common for Irish surnames.

In the twentieth century, emigration from Ireland to the United States increased the presence of the McGwinn name and spread the various variants and spellings across the globe.

Famous people with the name McGwinn

• Dr. Kelsey McGwinn: a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan, USA.
• Ben McGwinn: an actor who has appeared in various television shows, movies, and commercials.
• Jed McGwinn: a professional mountain biker and trail builder.
• Tyler McGwinn: a professional baseball player who is currently in the San Francisco Giants organization.
• Paul McGwinn: a former Major League Baseball player who most notably played for the Oakland Athletics.
• Ed McGwinn: a former National Football League tight end who played for the San Diego Chargers.
• Duncan McGwinn: a Canadian artist specializing in abstract art and sculpture.
• Sean McGwinn: an American author, entrepreneur, and public speaker.
• Amy McGwinn: a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest.
• Brooke McGwinn: a YouTuber who has over 40,000 subscribers.

Other surnames

McGwierMcGwinMcGwire