Surname MacNia - Meaning and Origin
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MacNia: What does the surname MacNia mean?
The surname MacNia is derived from an Irish Gaelic name of MacNí meaning “son of.” The name likely comes from the old Irish personal name Ní, which was used to refer to the son of a father or clan chief. Further, the name likely originates from anywhere within Ireland, specifically in the Northern or Southern counties. There is also a possibility that it could come from Scottish origin. The name is often pronounced “MacKnee-ah” and many MacNias have Irish roots.
Many current MacNias living in Ireland are descendants from two main clusters in the north and east of the country, suggesting that it is a relatively old family name. Some have emigrated to the USA, Australia, and Britain over the last century - some of who may be descendants from military personnel of the Irish Brigade, and others, from those escaping famine and economic hardship.
In terms of the meaning, MacNialinks to the Gaelic language and culture, to a sense of heritage and a shared identity related to the North or Southern counties of Ireland. It is also possible that the name is a variation of MacNevin or MacNeill, both being prominent Irish surnames. Whatever the true origin, the MacNias have made their mark in the world, and remain a key mini-nation within both Ireland and the wider world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNia: Where does the name MacNia come from?
The last name MacNia is most commonly found today in the Isle of Man, which is located between the U.K. and Ireland. In fact, variants of the MacNia name are among the most common in the region. Records show that the surname dates back centuries and was initially used by those of Scottish background. The MacNia family was known to be involved in Thurstan’s Rebellion (a 15th century revolt against Scotland's then-monarch) and eventually settled in the Isle of Man. Though the family had various other locations throughout Ireland and Scotland, by the early 1700s the last name only remained in the Isle of Man and had become localized there.
Today, MacNia is one of the most frequently encountered names in Manx records with variants spelled such as MacNea, MacNee, MacNe, MacNee, etc. In addition, various census records from the first half of the eighteenth century also include several MacNia family lines. In Manx culture, the last name is highly revered due to its connection to local folklore and mythological characters. Indeed, some notable Manx people throughout the centuries have had the last name. Therefore, the MacNia name can be found in several contexts related to Manx culture.
Variations of the surname MacNia
MacNia is a Scottish surname which is derived from the Gaelic phrase 'Mac an Fhiona' which translates to 'son of John'/'son of Fhiona'. It is an anglicised version of the more Gaelic form of the surname, which would be MacFhionnghaile.
Variants of the name include MacNie, MacNea, MacNie, Macnie, and MacNey. Spellings include McNee, McNie, McNey,McNey, and McNair. Surnames of similar origin include MacGinley and MacGinlay, meaning 'son of the fair-haired one', and MacNab, meaning 'son of theAbbot'.
McNee is the most commonly used spelling variant of the MacNia surname and is found across Scotland and the rest of the UK. It is also the most common variant found in the USA.
MacNea is another variant of the MacNia surname, which is sometimes found in the USA. The MacNea spelling is most common in Scotland and the Isle of Man.
MacNie is an uncommon spelling variant of the MacNia surname which is mostly found in Scotland, and occasionally in England and Wales. MacNie is sometimes spelled McNee.
McNair is an uncommon spelling variant of MacNia which is often found in the USA. It is a variant of the MacNab surname, which would have been the Old Gaelic form of the name.
The MacNia surname is very much a Scottish surname, though variants of the name have spread around the world. It is a particularly common surname in Scotland, Ireland, and the USA.
Famous people with the name MacNia
- Paul MacNia: American actor, best known for his role in Adventure Time (2010).
- Joseph MacNia: Irish writer, poet, and scholar.
- Justin MacNia: American actor, best known for his roles in the television series Mad Men (2008-2015).
- Neil MacNia: Scottish musician and record producer.
- Samuel MacNia: Scottish footballer, who played for teams such as Aberdeen, Rangers and Hibernian during his career.
- Keith MacNia: American baseball coach and minor league player.
- Michael MacNia: Canadian doctor and professor of medical ethics.
- Sean MacDonald MacNia: American politician who served as Certified American Senate Deputy from New York.
- Robert MacNia: Scottish footballer who played for several teams in the Scottish Football League between 1904 and 1911.
- Angus MacNia: Scottish chess player and master.
- David MacNia: American poet and playwright.
- Doug MacNia: Canadian hockey player, who played for the Vancouver Canucks and several minor league teams.
- Tom MacNia: American baseball player, who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1948-1954.
- Brian MacNia: American photographer and art director, best known for his work in the field of automotive photography.