Surname MacNich - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacNich: What does the surname MacNich mean?
The last name MacNich is an Anglicised version of the Scottish Gaelic name MacNeacail, which is a patronymic surname. The name MacNeacail derives from the Gaelic personal name 'Mac Nèill', which itself is a derivative of the name 'Niall'. The literal translation of MacNeacail is 'son of Niall'.
The tribe of Niall of the Nine Hostages was the most powerful family of the Gaelic age, and they ruled Ireland for more than five centuries from the 5th century, to the 10th century. Historically, the Niall of the Nine Hostages line were a powerful ruling dynasty and had large family networks, and while members of this line adopted other names, the MacNeacail variant remained in frequent use.
Today, MacNich is an uncommon name, however, in some parts of the world, such as Scotland and the Isle of Skye, the name has maintained its prevalence due to the persistence of clan-based societies. The name is still used frequently as a family name by descendants of those early clans.
For those who bear the MacNich name, there is a sense of history and belonging that links them to their ancestors, as well as to their clan’s extended network. In addition, they can take pride in the fact that the name itself is a reminder of the legacy of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNich: Where does the name MacNich come from?
The last name MacNich is most commonly found today in Scotland and in Irish regions such as Ulster. It is a lesser-known variant of the more popular last name McNichol. It also appears in other parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in the British Isles. MacNich is also found in some parts of the United States, in places such as New England and Midwestern states such as Ohio and Illinois.
The MacNich last name is an offshoot of the older Scottish clan name of McNicol, which was the primary clan in the Kilmarnock area of Scotland for a time. It is believed that the McNicol’s may have taken the name MacNich from a sept, which was a kind of branch of a larger family.
The MacNich surname can be traced back to at least the mid-1300s, when it was one of the earliest clan names in Scotland and was found in places such as1 east Caithness, Renfrewshire, and other parts of Scotland and the north of England.
Since then, the MacNich last name has spread around the world and is now found in many countries, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
The MacNich surname is not necessarily a common one, but it has a long history and can be found in many parts of the world. With the current increased presence of technology and the interconnectedness of the world, the last name may become more common and accepted in the future.
Variations of the surname MacNich
MacNich is a surname that comes from Scotland. It is a derivative of the Gaelic term ‘Mac Nioc’ and can be traced back to the MacNicol family, a branch of the Scottish Clan MacNaughton.
The variants of the surname MacNich include MacNichol, MacNicholl, MackNichol, MacNeck, MacNeach, MacNichols and MacNish. Spelling variations are numerous, so the name may sometimes appear as MacNeach, McNeech, MacNeech, MacNaaiche, MacNaech, MacNeachie, McNish, MacNairch, MacNuche and MacNocall.
MacNich has been in use in Scotland since as early as the 14th century. The MacNichols of Strathaven in Lanarkshire are mentioned in a number of Charters from 1296 and 1320. They appear to have been descendants of the old Earls of Lennox and were among the most established of the territorial families.
The Clan MacNaughton was founded in the time of Macbeth (1040-1057 AD). The MacNichols of Strathaven were descended from the MacNaughton’s in the 14th century.
In Ireland, the surname is mainly found in Counties Donegal and Cavan. There is also a Welsh variant of the surname, spelled MacNiss. There is also a Jewish variant of the name, spelled McNichols.
Overall, the MacNich surname is relatively rare but still used in parts of Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and may have other spelling variants and related surnames. Most people with this name will have a Scottish heritage.
Famous people with the name MacNich
- Nicole MacNich: a DIY and craft YouTuber whose content has been featured on Good Morning America, as well as various other shows.
- Paddy MacNich: a professional photographer who has worked on projects with major brands, athletes, and models.
- Tristan MacNich: a professional dancer and choreographer, best known for appearing on So You Think You Can Dance and Dance Academy, and for creating routines for music videos.
- Danna MacNich: a celebrity makeup artist known for her work on top television shows, movies, and runway fashion shows.
- Elayne MacNich: an award-winning actress who has appeared in films such as 25th Hour, The Bourne Legacy, and True Grit.
- Mike MacNich: a professional musician and producer, mostly known for his work on the critically acclaimed album Some Nights by Fun.
- Jessie MacNich: a successful fashion designer, with her creations appearing in top magazines and fashion blogs.
- Clifford MacNich: a bestselling author of suspense and thrillers, whose books have been made into films.
- Charlie MacNich: a Hollywood stuntman and martial artist, who has performed stunts in films such as Iron Man 3 and The Avengers.
- Mary MacNich: a London-based digital artist, best known for her work with brands such as Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, and Nike.