Surname McMeian - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McMeian: What does the surname McMeian mean?
The last name McMeian is believed to be an Anglicized version of the Gaelic patronymic Mac Mian, or Mac Maon, which is a Gaelic term meaning ‘son of the bear’.
The name originates from the pre 10th century, and can be traced to a time when a MacMian ancestor would have held a prominent position, likely that of a tribal leader. As family members passed on the surname through the generations, it can be assumed that the same leadership values have been maintained.
Throughout Scotland and the other Celtic nations, the bear holds an important place in mythology and poetry. Bears represent strength and leadership, as they are seen as the guardian of the forest and are powerful and courageous due to their sheer size.
Culturally, the bear also held significant meaning for ancient Celts, as it was an emblem of valor and bravery, even regarded as a “paragon of warriors”. Like many of the other Celtic animal-themed surnames, the surname McMeian is steeped in both figurative and literal symbolism.
Today, the family is widely scattered, though many of its members still live in parts of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The surname has developed many variations overtime, with the most common spellings being McMian, Maher, Mehan, Mayhan, Mayhon, Notter, MacMeian, McMianne, and McAion.
As a result of its ancient and rich history, the surname McMeian continues to carry a sense of strength, leadership, and valor into the present day.
Order DNA origin analysisMcMeian: Where does the name McMeian come from?
The surname McMeian does not seem to appear in genealogical databases, historical records, or listings of common surnames. It could potentially be a misspelling or a less-common variant of another surname. There are surnames that sound similar or might be confused with McMeian, such as McManus or McMahan, which are of Irish origin, but without more information, it is challenging to determine the exact origin and prevalence of the surname McMeian. It would be beneficial to verify the correct spelling or gather more information to provide a more accurate assessment. Alternatively, it could be a very rare surname or one that has significantly changed over time. At this time, there doesn't appear to be any regions where the surname McMeian is common.
Variations of the surname McMeian
The surname McMeian appears to be quite unique and not widely used, making it difficult to trace its variants, alternate spellings, and related surnames. It seems to be of Irish or Scottish origin derived from the prefix "Mc," which means "son of". The second part of the name, "Meian," is harder to place. It's possible that it underwent significant changes over time due to phonetic shifts, misspellings or translations.
If McMeian is an alternative spelling or a phonetic misspelling, it could have variations including McMihan, McMain, McMane, or even McMean. Other possibilities could be closely related to surnames like McMahon, McMann, or MacMillan if those names were altered significantly with time and migrations.
Due to the combination of uncommon phonetics, it's also possible that "McMeian" is a highly individualized or rare surname.
Keep in mind that further genealogical research would likely be necessary to definitively trace the origins and variations of this uncommon name. Similarly, DNA testing would provide more scientific clarity as well, linking one to others who share the same rare surname.
Famous people with the name McMeian
- Jensen McMeian: Jensen McMeian is an American actor, best known for his roles in films such as Men in Black 3 and The Purge. He is also an avid collector of vintage celebratory popsicles, most notably the rare Pom Pom pop.
- Timothy McMeian: Timothy McMeian is an award-winning American composer, with works spanning orchestral, chamber, and jazz music. He has performed several sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall and been a guest conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra, among many other accomplishments.
- Paula McMeian: Paula McMeian is an American artist renowned for her rich and vibrant abstract landscapes. She has been a prestigious Turner Prize Finalist, and had her works featured in multiple Goodman Gallery exhibitions.
- John McMeian: John McMeian is an American venture capitalist who has launched a series of successful start-ups such as GreenThink Technologies and Flux Power. He has held various executive positions at the world's leading technology companies, such as Microsoft and Intel.
- Steven McMeian: Steven McMeian is an American novelist, best known for his dystopian novel The Candidacy. His works have received multiple Hugo Award nominations, and in 2018, his novel was adapted into a major motion picture.
- Jacob McMeian: Jacob McMeian is an American actor, best known for his roles in the television series The West Wing and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He also had a supporting role in the acclaimed film Nocturnal Animals.
- Elizabeth McMeian: Elizabeth McMeian is an American philanthropist and human rights activist. She is the founder of Elizabeth McMeian Foundation, an organization which works towards empowering women and promoting racial and class equity.