Surname McQuan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McQuan: What does the surname McQuan mean?
The surname McQuan, like many Scottish and Irish surnames, is of Gaelic origin. Its specific meaning, however, isn't readily traceable as it appears to be a variant of other, more common Gaelic surnames. The "Mc" or "Mac" in the surname is a prefix denoting "son of". This was typically followed by the father's name or a personal characteristic.
In the case of McQuan, it is likely a variant of McQuinn, MacQueen or McQuinn which means “son of Conn” (Conn referring to wisdom or intelligence), or a variant of MacQuann which means “son of the hound or wolf”. Since surnames often evolved based on phonetics or regional dialects, McQuan could have evolved similarly.
Bear in mind historical records, linguistic evolution and migration patterns often make definitive meanings of last names elusive. Information about specific familial lineage and the geographical area in which the name first appeared can sometimes help clarify meaning. Always consider professional genealogical research for more accurate information regarding a specific family name.
Order DNA origin analysisMcQuan: Where does the name McQuan come from?
The surname McQuan, also occasionally spelled McQuinn, is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Cuinn, meaning "son of Conn." "Conn" is an old Gaelic term that translates to "chief." Thus, McQuan can be interpreted as "son of the chief." The surname first originated in the lands of Ferintosh in the former county of Ross and Cromarty, which is now part of Northern Scotland.
Today, the surname McQuan is not widespread and common but can still be found in Scotland, United Kingdom, and to a lesser extent in countries like United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where Scottish immigrants have historically settled. The frequency of McQuan as a family name is highest in Scotland due to its origin, although actual numbers may still be quite low. It is important to note that, over time, the spelling of the surname may have changed or evolved, and there may be variations of it in use in different parts of the world.
Variations of the surname McQuan
The surname McQuan is of Scottish origin. It could also potentially be from the Clan MacQuarrie, which originated in the Hebrides, in western Scotland.
Several variations and similar surnames may also exist as surnames often have diverse spellings over the centuries due to a variety of factors such as regional dialects, phonetic spelling, or translation from other languages. Some possible variants include McQuarn, McQuarrie, McQuarie, MacQuarrie, MacQuarie, and MacQuarn.
It's common for "Mac" or "Mc" to be used interchangeably in Scottish names as they both mean 'son of'; in this case, possibly referring to 'son of Guaire', an old personal name.
Other surnames which could potentially be considered variants include MacGuire and McGuire, as in some cases, 'Guaire' could have been anglicised to 'Guire'.
However, without specific genealogical research to link these names to the original McQuan, it's hard to say definitively whether these are accurate variants or independent names with different origins. Therefore, these suggestions are just a potential list of possible connected names.
Famous people with the name McQuan
- Dennis McQuan: An American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist.
- Chris McQuan: A Zambian-born American basketball player who played for several European teams.
- Miles McQuan: A professional athlete in the mixed martial arts realm.
- Lex McQuan: An award-winning game designer and narrative writer.
- Andy McQuan: A Canadian actor.
- Paul McQuan: An American actor who has appeared in numerous television series, films, and commercials.
- Charles McQuan: An American painter and sculptor whose works explored the spiritual life.
- Chris McQuan: A two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion.
- John McQuan: A professor of anthropology at the University of Edinburgh.
- Phil McQuan: A former American football player.