Surname MacNiff - Meaning and Origin
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MacNiff: What does the surname MacNiff mean?
The last name MacNiff is of Irish origin meaning the son of Neeve. Neeve is a form of the Gaelic name Niadh, which is one of the names of the god Nuada from Irish mythology who was the god of strength and the first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. MacNiff is derived from the Gaelic “Mac”, meaning “son of”, and “Niadh”, which is a shortened form of the name Nuada.
The MacNiffs are believed to have originated in east Galway in Ireland over 1000 years ago. The MacNiff’s claim to be a sept - a division of a larger family. Their original handprint is the same as that of the O'Connors and they had their own territory in the east of Galway.
People with the last name MacNiff are of hardy stock. They were of a strong, independent mind and solid determination. In addition, they had a courageous heart and a sense of honour.
People called MacNiff have achieved great success in life, a few notable names are Patrick MacNiff, the first to be knighted of the Irish Gaelic family, Brendan MacNiff, the renowned Irish poet, and Cormac MacNiff, who was a brave captain in the American Revolution.
The MacNiffs deserve to be appreciated for their resilience and dedication, having survived over a millennium with their name intact. Those called MacNiff have a proud heritage that dates back to one of the ancient gods of Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNiff: Where does the name MacNiff come from?
The last name MacNiff is commonly found in Ireland today. It is most often associated with County Galway, where the MacNiffs are believed to have descended from the Uí Fiachrach clan. The name is derived from Mac an Mhíchí, which means "son of an heir".
The MacNiff family has a long history in County Galway, stretching back to the 1250s when they are believed to have come over from Scotland. The first recorded MacNiff in County Galway was recorded in 1296. Since then, the MacNiffs have become a well-known surname throughout Galway, with many other members of the family settling elsewhere in Ireland.
Today, the MacNiff name is quite common throughout Galway and the surrounding counties, as well as in other parts of Ireland. It is also found in other parts of the world, including Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. The MacNiff name is also starting to become more common in Britain and parts of Europe as well.
In general, the last name MacNiff carries a lot of prestige in Ireland. It is associated with a long, proud history and a family that has made its mark on the country. As the name continues to spread, it is likely it will become even more popular in the years to come.
Variations of the surname MacNiff
The variants, spellings, and surnames for MacNiff may vary slightly depending on the region and time period. Though the most common versions include MacNiffe, McNiff, McConnell, McConell, MacNaghten, and MacAniffe. MacNiff is an Irish surname meaning ‘son of Neifí’, a personal name which most likely means ‘son of a champion’.
The surname MacNiffe originated in Donegal, Ireland and is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word for ‘son of a champion’ (‘mac Neifí’). Most of those who bear MacNiffe live in the traditional Irish counties of Donegal, Tyrone and Fermanagh. The spelling MacNiffe has also appeared in Scotland, Australia, and the United States. From contemporary records it appears that the name is still only found in these areas.
McNiff is a variant of MacNiff. This spelling is most prevalent in Ulster, Cork, and Limerick, though it is found other locations as well. This version of the name is most closely related to the phrase ‘mac an ifighe’ or ‘son of the lady of the mountain’.
McConnell is a variant of MacNiff which primarily found in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. This spelling is derived from the Gaelic phrase ‘mac conghale’ or ‘son of the warrior’.
MacNaghten is another variant of MacNiff. The name is relatively uncommon and is found primarily in the north-west of Ireland. This spelling is derived from the gaelic ‘mac Neachtain’, which means ‘son of Neachtain’, a personal name which likely means ‘descendant of a saintly family’.
MacAniffe is the last variant of MacNiff. This form of the surname is most prominently found in Northern Ireland and Scotland. This version is derived from the Gaelic phrase ‘mac an ifighe’ or ‘son of the lady of the mountain’.
Famous people with the name MacNiff
- Toby MacNiff: professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player and Twitch streamer
- Paddy MacNiff: Irish hurler who won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 1922
- John J. MacNiff: American lawyer who served as a delegate to the United States House of Representatives from New York's 15th district
- Joseph W. MacNiff: American politician who served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate
- Chris MacNiff: professional footballer who played for a number of Scottish teams and is currently the coach of Sparta Rotterdam
- Aidan MacNiff: professional Gaelic Footballer for Galway GAA
- John MacNiff: Scottish rugby union player who represented Scotland in the 1930s
- Gareth MacNiff: Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne Football Club in the AFL
- Martin MacNiff: boxer who fought in bantamweight division between 1936 and 1949 and retired with an impressive record
- P.J. MacNiff: Irish Sinn Féin politician who was elected as President of Sinn Féin in 1924