Surname McNight - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McNight: What does the surname McNight mean?
The surname McNight is of Scottish and Irish origin. It's an anglicised form of Gaelic Mac Neachtain, a patronymic name derived from the personal name Neachtan. The prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' in Irish and Scottish names means 'son of', hence McNight would mean 'son of Neachtan.' Neachtan is derived from the Irish name "Neachtein," which is composed of the elements "necht," meaning pure or clear, and the diminutive suffix "-in"; thus, the Old Gaelic personal name Neachtan means 'little pure one’. McNight is particularly common in the Scottish region of Galloway and in Ireland's Ulster province, tracing back to the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. Like many surnames, it has various spellings including MacNight, McKnight, and MacNeight. Bearers of the surname might not be directly related, as it could have been taken up by different families in different locations independently.
Order DNA origin analysisMcNight: Where does the name McNight come from?
The surname McNight is of Scottish origin and it is a variation of the surname McKnight. The prefix "Mc" in Scottish and Irish surnames roughly translates to "son of", hence McNight likely means "son of the knight". The surname surfaced during medieval times in the border regions straddling Scotland and England. Like many surnames of the time, it evolved as a means to distinguish between individuals with the same first name, perhaps indicating that the namesake's father held the title of knight.
Today, the surname McNight, while still present in the British Isles, has spread across the globe due to emigration, with a notable presence in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. As is common with many surnames, it is important to note that variations in spelling (McKnight, Mcknight, MacKnight) may exist. These variations in spelling can be attributed to a number of factors such as regional phonetic dialects, different translations into English from Gaelic and vice versa, and even clerical errors or changes made by ancestors for personal reasons.
Variations of the surname McNight
The surname McNight has roots in both Irish and Scottish heritage, and is commonly associated with the Gaelic surname MacNeachtain. This name means "the son of the pure one" or "the son of the servant of the saint." There are multiple spellings and variants of this surname, often due to regional differences or Anglicization (translation of non-English names to English).
Alternative spellings and variants of McNight include McKnight, MacKnight, MacNachtan, Macnght, Maknyght, McNaughton, MacNaughton, and McNeight. These variations often reflect the individual or family's regional origins within Scotland or Ireland. For instance, the MacNachtan variant is associated with Scottish clans from Loch Awe and Loch Fyne. The McNaughton variant is similarly associated with a Scottish clan, specifically from the region of Perthshire.
Similar sounding surnames like Knight may also be misattributed to the same origins; however, it is English in origin and doesn't represent a variant of McNight.
The surname has also been anglicized into other names like Nelson and Neal, meaning the progeny of such surnames could also be descendants of the Gaelic MacNeachtain clan.
Despite these variations, it is also possible that individuals with these surnames may not be related, as surnames could also be adopted due to certain professions or roles within communities.
Famous people with the name McNight
- Gary Mc Knight: Grammy-winning American Gospel singer
- Maverick McNight: American professional ice hockey player
- John Mc Knight: retired professional ice hockey player
- Tyson Mc Knight: professional lacrosse player
- Sean Mc Night: professional soccer player
- Emilio Mc Knight: former professional football player
- J.J. Mc Knight: former professional football player
- Jean Mc Knight: former American professional basketball player
- Joseph Mc Knight: American football player
- Steve Mc Knight: former American football player
- Art Mc Knight: former American football player
- Bruce Mc Knight: Emmy Award-winning American actor and stand-up comedian
- Cody Mc Knight: American actor
- Corinne Mc Knight: professional female bodybuilder
- Dan Mc Knight: American actor
- Dylan Mc Knight: American actor
- Gary Mc Knight Jr.: American actor
- Jermaine Mc Knight: American actor
- John Mc Knight: American actor, writer, and producer
- T.J. Mc Knight: American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer