Surname Meekin - Meaning and Origin

Meekin: What does the surname Meekin mean?

The surname Meekin is of Scottish origin and is considered a variant of the name "Mackin." It is derived from the ancient Gaelic MacCain, which translates to "Son of Cain." The name Cain itself has two possible meanings - in Hebrew, it could mean "acquired," and in Irish or Gaelic, it means "beautiful" or "charming." Therefore, the surname Meekin can be interpreted to mean "son of the beautiful one" or "son of the charming one." Nevertheless, as with many surnames, its precise origins and meaning could vary based on geographical regions and historical contexts. Therefore, it's important to consider specific family histories when interpreting surname meanings. Like many surnames, it was likely used to identify individuals based on lineage or family associations in the past, serving as a form of identification.

Meekin: Where does the name Meekin come from?

The surname Meekin is of Scottish origin, derived from the name of the ancient village of Moffat located in Annandale, in the South-West region of Scotland. It is believed to be a variation of the surname Moffat, which is also found in forms like Maffat, Maffett, Maffit, Meffet, and Meekin.

This surname seems to be patronymic, where "kin" indicates a relation to or descent from someone. Thus, Meekin could roughly translate as "kin of Meek", with "meek" possibly being a nickname derived from the Old English "mēk", referring to someone who is gentle or humble.

Today, it is predominantly found in English-speaking countries, with the most significant populations in the United Kingdom (particularly in Scotland and Northern England), Australia, the United States, and Canada. The prevalence of this surname is testament to the emigration of Scots to these lands during the 18th and 19th centuries. Please note that surname distribution data may vary, and the surname may not be very common compared to other surnames in these countries.

Variations of the surname Meekin

The surname Meekin can have several variants and different spellings. Some of the most common ones include Meakin, Mekin, Mekins, Meekins, Makin, Makins, and Mekins. The surname is believed to be of English origin and it has many more variations in the way it may be spelled due to regional dialects, literacy levels and errors in transcription over centuries.

The name can be traced back to medieval times in the Staffordshire area in England, where it found its origins as a metronymic from the female given name Matilda, known colloquially as "Mec(k)". In some cases, it could also have originated as a patronymic from the male name Matthew, colloquially shortened to "Mec(k)". The suffix "-in" or "-ins" creates an affectionate or diminutive form, typically added to a baptismal or personal name to create a familial surname. Therefore, it could translate roughly to "son of Mec(k)" or "little Mec(k)".

Additional variations could include Meckin, Meckins, Mackin and Mackins. The shifting of vowel sounds and consonants in surname spellings is a common occurrence and could expand the list of known variants over time.

Famous people with the name Meekin

• John Meekin: an English stage, television, and film actor from the 1950s to the 1970s.
• Jeffrey Meekin: an American actor best known for his roles in the televisions series “Battlestar Galactica”, “Prison Break”, and “Hell on Wheels”.
• Brandon Meekin: an American actor and musician who appeared in the films “American Virgin”, “Rock of Ages”, and “The Big Year”.
• David Meekin: an English actor, writer, and producer who starred in “EastEnders” and “Skins”.
• Julie Meekin: an American actress and dancer whose credits include “The Cat in the Hat” and “The Sound of Music Live!”
• Kate Meekin: a former professional tennis player from Scotland.
• Roy Meekin: an English actor who is best known for his roles in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2”.
• Dick Meekin: an American former professional golfer and golf instructor.
• Graham Meekin: a British actor who is best known for his roles in “Worlds End”, “EastEnders”, and “We Are Family”.
• Jay Meekin: an Australian actor, writer, and filmmaker who is best known for his role in “The Matrix Reloaded”.

Other surnames

Meekins