Surname McNew - Meaning and Origin
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McNew: What does the surname McNew mean?
The surname McNew is of Scottish origin and is typically associated with the Scottish clan MacNeacail, also known as Clan Nicolson. The prefix "Mc" or "Mac" in Scottish and Irish surnames means "son of", so McNew would essentially translate to "son of New". However, as "New" is not typically a given name, it is likely that McNew is a variation of the surname MacNaois, which translates to "son of Angus". It is also possible that the "New" part of the surname signifies somebody who is new to a certain place or community. In medieval times, names were often given as a descriptor of a person’s features, occupation or geographical location, therefore McNew could have been a surname given to a family who were relatively new to an area. Like many surnames, McNew would have numerous variations and spellings.
Please note that this explanation is speculative, as the exact history and meaning of the surname McNew could differ significantly depending on the family's lineage and history. In order to decipher the precise background of a surname, professional genealogical research would be essential.
Order DNA origin analysisMcNew: Where does the name McNew come from?
The last name McNew is of Scottish origin, stemming from the Gaelic name MacNaoimhin, which means "son of the saint" or "son of the little holy one". The exact location in Scotland where the surname originates is uncertain, though the MacNaoimhin clan, from which several variations, including McNew, are believed to have emerged, are associated with the Highlands. Early instances of this name have been traced back to Scotland during the middle ages.
Today, the surname McNew is found most commonly in the United States, with a higher concentration in states like Missouri, Texas, California, Indiana, and Arkansas. Its presence in the US is predominantly due to waves of Scottish and Irish migration that occurred particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries. The surname exists in relatively small numbers in the UK and other countries around the world. It should be noted that while McNew is a variant of MacNaoimhin, many other variations exist and are more common in Scotland and Ireland today.
Overall, the McNew surname is quite rare, appearing less frequently compared to other names of Scottish and Irish origin.
Variations of the surname McNew
The surname McNew is of Scottish origin and is a derived from the Gaelic word "Mac Naoimhin", meaning "son of a saint". Variation of this surname includes McNiven which is quite common in Scotland. The surname McNieve is another possible variant.
Though less common, the surnames MacNeave, MacNaoimhin and MacNevin are also variants of McNew and have the same origins. They originated from the same Gaelic translation but were changed according to regional dialects and language evolution.
As spelling standards were not introduced until the late 1800s, Christian name spelling variation during that time was widespread. Hence, different ways in which McNew could have been spelled over time include Mcnee, McNee, McNay, McNea, MacNee, MacNay and MacNea.
In terms of surnames with similar meanings, names originating from 'Mac' or 'Mc', denoting 'son of' in Gaelic and Scottish, like McNeil ("son of Niel"), McNamee ("son of Namee"), and McNaughton ("son of Naughton"), share similar meanings but not necessarily the same origins with McNew.
Note that some of these variations and spellings might be more common than others, and some might be exclusive to specific regions or even families.
Famous people with the name McNew
- William McNew: American artist
- Ben McNew: Producer and musician
- Jackie McNew: Olympic gold medalist in synchronized swimming
- Ken McNew: Former United States Congressman
- Carl McNew: American football player
- Kim McNew: Cricketer
- Landon McNew: Singer and songwriter
- Dustin McNew: Baseball player
- Steve McNew: Musician and composer
- Robert McNew: Actor