Surname McMaken - Meaning and Origin
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McMaken: What does the surname McMaken mean?
The surname McMaken is of Scottish origin and is believed to be a variant of the name McMackin, which is derived from the Gaelic name "MacEacháin". The prefix "Mac" in Gaelic means "son of" and "Eacháin" is a diminutive of the personal name "Eachaidh", which means "horse rider". So the surname McMaken or McMackin could be translated to mean "son of the little horse rider". Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of surnames often changed leading to variations like McMaken. It’s important to note that the interpretations of surnames can sometimes be speculative due to changes in language and migration.
Order DNA origin analysisMcMaken: Where does the name McMaken come from?
The surname McMaken is of Scottish origin, designed from the Gaelic language. This surname is the anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Mhaoighstir", which translates to "son of the master." The word "Maighstir," particularly used in the Middle Ages, was used to address a clergyman or someone who was highly educated. Typically, "Mac" or "Mc" in a Scottish or Irish name means "son of," indicating a patronymic naming tradition.
The McMaken name seems to have surfaced in Dunbartonshire, located in Scotland's central Lowlands, on the north bank of the River Clyde. This surname is quite rare, making it difficult to pinpoint its exact geographical prevalence today. However, due to historical migration patterns, it is likely to be found among descendants of the Scottish diaspora, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. The exact concentration of individuals with the McMaken surname in these areas today is difficult to ascertain, given its relative rarity. As with many surnames, its distribution is likely to be dispersed rather than centered in any one location.
Variations of the surname McMaken
The surname McMaken has Scottish origins and is related to the surname MacMaken. Variants may include McMeekin, McMeeken, McMechan, and McMichan which also have Scottish origins. The spelling of the surname can vary depending on the region and family history. Some other possible spellings of McMaken include McMaking, McMakon, MacMachen, MacMechan, and MacMacken.
This surname belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes or farmsteads. First found in Ayrshire in ancient Scotland, it is believed that the McMaken surname evolved from "MacMiadhachain" which means "son of the honorable one."
All these variants are due to the numerous ways of spelling names in old records as spelling rules were not standardized, subsequently leading to names spelled according to how they were pronounced.
It's also worth mentioning that some people may have changed their surname over time for various personal or socio-cultural reasons, so it needs a detailed genealogical research to trace all related surnames and their variations.
Famous people with the name McMaken
- Rusty McMaken: Actor and stunt professional; he has appeared in several films such as Tombstone, The Expendables 3, and The Lone Ranger.
- Joe McMaken: Former professional football player who played for the Miami Dolphins from 1975 to 1976.
- Don McMaken: Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps who served in the Gulf War.
- Jarred McMaken: Professional Bull Rider who has competed in numerous National Finals Rodeos.
- Jim McMaken: Two-time National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee for his success as an amateur and college wrestling champion.
- Paul McMaken: Professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- Mike McMaken: Former professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Jennifer McMaken: Voice actor, singer, and songwriter. She was the lead vocalist for the The McMaken Band.
- Richard McMaken: Architect who designed the exterior of the iconic Fidelity Building in Cincinnati.
- Mike McMaken: Former professional cyclist and one of the original members of the USA National Cycling Team.