Surname MacNair - Meaning and Origin
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MacNair: What does the surname MacNair mean?
The surname MacNair is a variant of the surname MacNare or McNair which is of Scottish origin. It is believed to have derived from multiple Gaelic roots such as 'mac', meaning son of, and 'naomh', meaning saintly. Thus the surname could mean 'son of the saintly one'.
It is believed that the surname originated in the western coast of Scotland and was given to the descendants of a specific saintly individual in the locality. Over time, as people moved and settled in other areas of Scotland, the spelling of the surname changed, eventually becoming MacNair.
MacNair families all over Scotland would have a common ancestor who was in the area during the Middle Ages or shortly thereafter. Today, the name is quite popular and still considered a distinct surname in Scotland.
Throughout Scotland, the MacNair clan is a renowned and respected one. Some of the most renowned members of the clan include sword master and performer John MacNair, who received international acclaim for his performances in international festivals and competitions, and businessman and financier Alexander MacNair, who established the MacNair Financial Group.
The MacNair name is one of the oldest and respected names in Scotland. Its descendants still proudly bear the name, are proud of their heritage and the renowned members of the clan. As the descendants of the original MacNair family, they are connected to their common ancestor and the locale in the western coast of Scotland in which he lived.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNair: Where does the name MacNair come from?
The last name MacNair is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Canada today. In the United Kingdom, MacNair is mainly associated with Scotland and Northern Ireland, with Scotland having the highest concentration of people with the name MacNair.
In the Scotland, the MacNair name is recorded in large numbers in the Central Belt, where it is particularly associated with the city of Glasgow and the surrounding area. It is especially concentrated around Airdrie, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, and other nearby towns and villages. Additionally, it is also found in Aberdeen, Dundee, and other areas of the north-east of Scotland.
In Northern Ireland, the MacNair name is primarily associated with County Antrim and County Londonderry in the north, where it has records dating back centuries.
In Canada, the MacNair name is mainly found in Ontario. The most concentrated communities of individuals with the name MacNair are located around Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area, and southwestern Ontario, where the family has been present for several generations.
In the US and other countries outside the UK and Canada, the MacNair name is not particularly common. However, it does have some presence mainly amongst families who have migrated from either the UK or Canada in recent years.
Variations of the surname MacNair
The MacNair surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Cnámhaigh or Mac an Araich, both of which mean "son of the Smith". The prefix "Mac" typically indicates a patronymic origin, so while the surname itself is MacNair, the form Nair is also encountered.
Variations of the surname include MacNear, McNear, and McNeary. Additionally, less frequent variants are McNeir, McNare, McNoor, MacNeare, and McNar.
Since it is a surname of Scottish origin, there is also a chance that the individual is of Clan MacNair lineage. This clan is historically associated with the lands of Kilraine in the Pagan district of Scotland. Many members of this clan settled in other parts of Scotland, such as the Western Isles, Campbelltown, and Aberdeenshire.
In addition to MacNair, other Mangonel variants include MacNerr, MacNeer, MacNairr, MacNeire, McNeer, and McNairr. These spellings may reflect a change in language usage as the surname became established in different regions.
The MacNair surname is also seen in Ireland in the names MacNerney, McNerney, McNern, McInerney, MacNerny, and MacNerny.
Given the variety of spellings of the MacNair surname, searching for records requires careful scrutiny of records to ensure accuracy.
Famous people with the name MacNair
- Mike MacNair: English political theorist and journalist
- Richard MacNair: Ex-Scotland Rugby player and Scotland’s assistant coach
- Jock MacNair: Scottish grandfather of Hollywood actor, Michael J. Fox
- Adam MacNair: Professional golfer
- Alex MacNair: International snooker player
- David MacNair: US Marine Corps infantry soldier
- Janice MacNair: Canadian businesswoman and philanthropist
- Robert MacNair: Former British Royal Navy serviceman
- Sarah MacNair: Canadian politician
- Stephen MacNair: Entrepreneur and CEO of Nailor Industries