Surname MacNider - Meaning and Origin
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MacNider: What does the surname MacNider mean?
The last name MacNider originates from the Scottish, Irish, and some parts of Northern England. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Neidhr meaning "son of the thunder." The name originates from Clan MacNider, whose ancestors were famous warriors with ties to Clan Morrison.
The traditional emblem of this clan is the thistle which symbolizes protection and courage. The clan crest of the MacNider family includes the image of an armoured arm brandishing a two-handed sword which represents their fierce heritage of courage in battle.
Over the years, MacNider has become a common last name in North America. It is seen mostly in the United States and Canada, but also to some extent in other parts of the world.
The MacNider family has a rich and proud history and is strongly associated with their clan of long ago. Today, many of the MacNider descendants have spread across the world, but still maintain many of the features, values, and beliefs of their ancestral clan.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNider: Where does the name MacNider come from?
The last name MacNider is most commonly found in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Australia. With roots in Gaelic and Scottish origins, this surname has its roots in various regional locations.
In the United States, MacNider is most common in the Northwest and Mid Atlantic regions, including in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York. It is also common in the states of Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, and California, where it has been used longer than in many other states.
In Canada, MacNider is largely concentrated in the provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. These areas have been established settlement areas for immigrants of Scots-Irish descent, and the surname may have been adopted as late as the 18th century.
In Australia, MacNider is found throughout the country and is particularly common in the state of Victoria, where many Scottish Higlanders settled during the 19th century.
In the United Kingdom, the surname is mostly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, along with parts of England and Wales. It is thought to be derived from the Scottish clan name “MacNider”, which was taken by many emigrants from Scotland.
The surname MacNider remains relatively uncommon today, though it is still used in many countries across the world. Its name and origins can be traced back to ancient cultures and societies, and the associated history and culture of its former bearers is still well-known in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname MacNider
The surname MacNider has several variants, spellings, and surnames that are of the same origin. These include:
MacNider, MacMynwer, MacMynwr, MacMyner, MacMener, MacMeiner, MacMeener, MacMener, MacNeener, MacNennor, McNider, McNyder, Mcknider, M'Nider, MacAnder, McEnfyder, Maghnuair, MacKender, Macinder, MacAndere, Maghnear, M'Enider, MacEnder, MacEnder, MacEnder, MacNyder, M'Kender, Mackender, Makindar.
The variant and spelling most commonly seen in Scotland is MacNeander, and in Ireland, McCTAGNEENER or McGillaneyr.
MacNider and variants derived from the Gaelic Mac Naoidheir ("son of Nialler"), a personal name derives from the Old Irish Niall, which might ultimately be from a Celtic root meaning "champion". It is a name derived from the Scottish Clan Donald, one of the ancient clans of Scotland. The spelling of the name was Anglicized to MacNider as a result of the clear pronunciation when spoken in the English language.
In the 19th Century, immigrants moved from Scotland to the United States and Canada and in some cases, changed the spelling to McNider, MacKender, MacNyder, MacAndere, and Maghnuair.
The variant Maghnuair is most well known in County Donegal, Ireland, where many settlers left to move to Australia and New Zealand in the 19th century.
The surname MacNider is also found in France, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States of America.
Famous people with the name MacNider
- Hanford MacNider: Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of War and WWI veteran
- Neil MacNider: Scottish actor
- Henry MacNider: Kansas State Treasurer and 29th Governor of North Dakota
- Mark MacNider: Former U.S. Ambassador to Ceylon and Sri Lanka
- Colin MacNider: Former Canadian Football League player
- James MacNider: Former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives
- Alice MacNider: Iowa state representative
- Wilbert John MacNider: Businessman, philanthropist and former president of the MacNider Corporation
- Harry MacNider: Former North American representative and president of the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association
- Andrew MacNider: Former Mayor of Mason City, Iowa