Surname MGinniss - Meaning and Origin
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MGinniss: What does the surname MGinniss mean?
The surname Mginniss is of Irish origin, first found in County Clare. It is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic surname Mac Ginnis, meaning "son of Ginnis or Ginniss". Ginnis is a Gaelic personal name originating from the Celtic parent name Finnis or Fionn, which means "fair" or "white". This is indicative of the light coloured hair and fair complexion associated with the individual and later the family.
The Mginniss family had their seat of power in County Clare and spread throughout Northern and the Midlands of Ireland. It is reasonable to assume they were one of the more powerful clans in the county during the Middle Ages, as the name is mentioned in several prominent genealogical records.
Throughout the centuries, the family distinguished itself in many fields, playing an important role in the development of national and regional political structures. The Mginniss family has produced many prominent figures, including members of the clergy, those in the arts and academia, and leaders in public service.
Today, the Mginniss surname remains strongly connected to County Clare and the greater Irish culture, with many of its members still living in the region and contributing to its advancement, while others have spread out across the globe. The name evokes images of traditional values mixed with modernity, a characteristic widely attributed to those who carry it.
Order DNA origin analysisMGinniss: Where does the name MGinniss come from?
MGinniss is not an especially common surname today, but there are still some people sharing it around the world. The majority of people with this surname are thought to trace their lineage back to either Ireland or Scotland, where many records and archives have been studied in recent years to identify the origins of families with the MGinniss surname.
In the United States, MGinniss families appear to have settled and prospered primarily in the midwest, most notably in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. The largest concentration of MGinnisses in the US is found in the greater Chicago area, and records from the mid-to-late 19th century suggest that this was the family’s point of entry into the US.
In addition to mainland America, the MGinniss surname is also found in Canada, Australia, and other countries. There are also MGinniss households located in a number of areas in the United Kingdom, with the greatest concentration being in Scotland.
In some cases, the MGinniss surname has evolved into other forms such as MacGinnis, McGinnis, and Ginnis, leading to a greater scattering of people throughout the world bearing some variant of the surname.
Variations of the surname MGinniss
M'Ginniss is an Irish surname that is of several distinct origin. The two most common origins of the name M'Ginniss are of Scottish and Irish descent. The spelling of the surname can vary, such as MacGinniss, McGinnis, McGinniss, Ginniss, Ginnis, and M'Ginniss.
The Scottish origin of the surname M'Ginniss is believed to be derived from Mac Fhionghuin, which is Gaelic for the son of the fair one. This includes the variant spellings of MacGinniss and McGinnis.
The Irish origin of the surname M'Ginniss is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Fhionghaile, which translates to son of the servant of St. Jonathan. This variant of the surname is typically spelled as McGinniss or Ginniss.
The surnames MacGinnis, Ginnis, and MacGiolla Fhionghaile, may also be direct variants of the name M'Ginniss. These variants all originated in Ireland and Scotland, and their spellings may change depending upon the region and country of origin.
M'Ginniss is a widespread surname found throughout Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, Canada and the United States. It is also a popular choice among those who have adopted another culture or background with the name M'Ginniss.
Famous people with the name MGinniss
- Kit Maginnis: An American actress best known for her roles in films such as The Greatest Showman and Pitch Perfect 2.
- Jocelyn Maginnis: An American fashion designer, most notable for her gowns as part of the iconic Marchesa fashion label.
- Michael Maginnis: A Canadian Olympic athlete, participating in luge in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
- Jay Maginnis: A British author, she written several books exploring themes of social science and psychology.
- William J. Maginnis: A United States Congressman from Pennsylvania, serving from 1895 to 1911 in the House of Representatives.
- Patrick Maginnis: An Irish-American Catholic priest, best known for his awards in healthcare reform during the late 19th century.
- Bryan Maginnis: An American venture capitalist, involved in the San Francisco tech start-up scene in the late 20th century.
- Danny Maginnis: An English footballer, playing as a defender for Chester City Football Club from 1997 to 2000.
- Lyal Maginnis: A Canadian artist, widely regarded for his landscapes of rural Manitoba.
- Lenny Maginnis: An American stand-up comedian, known for his dark and cynical comedy style.