Surname McNett. - Meaning and Origin
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McNett.: What does the surname McNett. mean?
The last name McNett is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic words “mac” and “Neth,” which respectively mean “son” and “of the mist." This surname likely originated as a way to distinguish a person’s place of origin, since it is derived from the mist-shrouded landscape of the Scottish Highlands.
The surname was often accompanied by a given name to define the family even more. A popular given name in the McNett family would have been Neill, which is derived from Niall, the Gaelic word for champion. This reflects the strong sense of pride and bravery often associated with those who bore this surname, as well as their sense of loyalty and fierce protection of their kin.
The McNett family is rumored to be descended from ferriers of the Norsemen that settled in the Highlands. As such, they have been known to embrace traditional values, including honor, hard work, and respect for the land.
To this day, many of the McNett family’s traditional values remain. The family’s motto may be summarized as “From mist to fortune,” a testament to their perseverance in the face of adversity, as well as their ambition and resourcefulness.
Order DNA origin analysisMcNett.: Where does the name McNett. come from?
The last name McNett is an English surname of uncertain origin. The name has become fairly widespread as a last name due to its diversity of origins. The first record of the surname dates back to 1273, in a county in England called Somerset. The McNett family was known for being part of the landed gentry in Northern Ireland who resided in what is now Donegal.
Today, the surname McNett can be found worldwide, mainly due to the increase of intercontinental travel and immigration. Some sources state that the McNett surname is most likely found in the United States and Canada, but there are scattered cases of the surname all over the world, including parts of Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and Asia.
As for the commonality of the McNett surname today, the US Census Bureau (2016) suggests that the surname is in fact fairly rare, with only 132 occurrences of McNett in the United States. Therefore, while the surname is not very common, it can still be quite easily found around the world.
Therefore, while the last name McNett is not extremely common today, it is far from a completely obscure name. Its widespread presence and diversity of origin suggest that McNett could indicate an individual with a wide range of heritage, from parts of Britain to North America and beyond.
Variations of the surname McNett.
The surnames McNett, MacNett, Kinnett, Kinnitte, and Kennette are all variants derived from the same origin. The origins of the name McNett likely began in 16th century Ireland, where there is a record of the name McNett appearing in County Tyrone. The use of the name then spread to Scotland, where it began to take on other spellings.
The variant MacNett is the traditional Irish-Gaelic form of the name, which is also found in Canada and the United States. The related surname Kinnett is found predominately in the United States, and is likely derived from the traditional spelling of the name, MacNett. Kennette is another variant found in the US, likely derived from the traditional spelling MacNett. This surname was likely chosen by settlers who arrived in the new world, its pronunciation lending itself more readily to the American tongue.
The Scottish spelling of the name McNett is Kinnitte, with its variations found in both Scotland and Canada. Thus, McNett, MacNett, Kinnett, Kinnitte, and Kennette all share a common origin despite their differences in spelling. Variations in the spelling of the name are likely in part due to anglicization, as well as to adaptation to local dialects and regional forms of speech.
Famous people with the name McNett.
- Kelly McNett: Professional Olympic snowboarder
- Rick McNett: Professional photographer
- April McNett: Artist and activist
- Ryan McNett: Professional basketball player
- Matthew McNett: Chef and restaurateur
- Gene McNett: Professional wakeboarder
- Richard McNett: Musician and entertainer
- Norma McNett: Sculptor and ceramicist
- Michael McNett: Professional snowboarder
- Jack McNett: Professional photographer