Surname McNabb - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Origins: A Review of iGENEA DNA Test & An Exploration of the McNabb Lineage

Delve into an engaging journey of discovering ancestral roots and connections through a personal experience with the iGENEA DNA Test. Uncover the rich Scottish history entwined with the surname McNabb and the fascinating connections made through the iGENEA database.

P. McNabb

McNabb: What does the surname McNabb mean?

The last name McNabb is of Irish origin, and is most commonly found in Ulster, the northernmost region of Ireland. The name derives from the Gaelic Mac an Aba, which translates as 'son of the abbot' or 'son of the priest'. It is believed that these priests were of the ancient Celtic religion, and that the McNabbs were originally a very important family who held high positions in the clergy.

The McNabbs were commonly associated with the powerful O'Neill clan, with their roots extending back many centuries. Over time the name spread to other areas of Ireland and across the globe, taking on various alternate spellings and forms such as McAnavy, McCnab, McNab, and McNevy.

The McNabb family is known for being a proud and hardworking people, sharing a deep connection to their Irish origins and often forming powerful networks and local communities. There are still many branches of the McNabbs today, and the legacy of their shared ancestry lives on. Through their unique history, traditions, and customs, the McNabbs continue to uphold their proud family name.

McNabb: Where does the name McNabb come from?

The last name McNabb is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland. The name is thought to be of Scottish origin and is made up of two Gaelic elements which can be translated to mean 'son of the hound'. It is sometimes also found as McKnabb, McNab and McAnaw.

The McNabbs are thought to have first settled in Armagh and Antrim sometime in the 13th century and were part of the Anglo-Norman settlers of the time. In later years, McNabbs spread out to other parts of the UK and even to countries like USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Within the UK, McNabbs mostly are found in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. In Northern Ireland, McNabbs are found mainly in counties Antrim, Londonderry and Armagh. In Scotland, McNabbs are found mainly in Aberdeenshire, Perthshire and Roxburghshire. In England, McNabbs are mainly found in the north-east and north-west of the country, while in Wales, McNabbs are mainly found in the west and south west.

The McNabb name is still surprisingly common today within the British Isles, with an estimated 15,000 households bearing the name. There are also a number of descendants of the original McNabb clans living in the USA today, as well as other countries around the world.

Variations of the surname McNabb

The McNabbs are a Scottish clan which is a branch of the larger clan MacDonald, one of the most powerful Scottish clans. The surname McNabb is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Aba which means son of the abbot.

Variants of this surname include McNab, MacNab, Macanabb, MacNabb, Mac an Aba, Macanaba, Maconaba, and MacNaug an Aba.

McNab is perhaps the most common variant of the name, with widespread subdivisions being Macnab of Macnab, Maccnab of Macnab, and Maccnabba of Macnab. There is also evidence of the name being spelled MacNab, Macaanab, Mcanab, McNabbe, McNab, and MacNaughtanab with the ‘Mac’ prefix being used instead of ‘Mc’.

MacNab is another variant of the McNabb surname derived from the prefix ‘Mac’ being used instead of ‘Mc’. Variants include M'Nab, Mac Nab, Mac Knab, Mac Nabbe, Mac Mac Nab, Macknab, Mac Anab, Mack Nab, M'Knab, and Mac Nabob.

Mac an Aba is a variant of the McNabb surname which is sometimes used as a shortened form of Mcanabba. Other spellings for Mac an Aba include Macanab, Maconab, Maconaba, and McNaug an Aba.

Surnames of the same origin include McDonald, McLellan, McKenzie, MacGregor, McRae, McNeil, and McBain. They all have the same Gaelic roots of Mac an Aba, which means son of the abbot. As a result, these surnames can be found among Scots and Irish people with a shared ancestry.

Famous people with the name McNabb

• Donovan McNabb: a professional American football player who played for thirteen seasons in NFL.
• Mike McNabb: a professional Canadian football player who currently plays for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
• Dave McNabb: former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for three teams over parts of seven seasons from 1982–1989.
• Courtney McNabb: an American organist and choral conductor currently based in London, England.
• Tyler McNabb: an American YouTube star, television personality, and actor.
• Stephen McNabb: a former professional football player who played as a goalkeeper in Scotland.
• Ed McNabb: an American professional racing driver who competed primarily in the NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup from 1956 to 1969.
• Anna McNabb: an Australian television actress known for her roles in Packed to the Rafters and Home and Away.
• Martin McNabb: an American actor and writer, best known for his appearances in films such as Cabin Fever and Grind.
• Jill McNabb: an American actress and television host.

Other surnames

McNabMcNaboeMcNabola