Surname MacNough - Meaning and Origin
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MacNough: What does the surname MacNough mean?
The last name MacNough is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Mac Ní Uachtaráin, which translates to "son of Uachtarán". Uachtarán is an Irish title meaning "supreme leader." The name could refer to the leader of a clan or sept, or to the King or High King of Ireland.
The name is one of the many variations of the ancient Irish clan Mac Con Uachtair, which were closely related to the Eoghanachta who were descended from the 5th century Irish High King Eogan. The Mac Con Uachtair clan originated in County Waterford and spread to other areas of Ireland.
The name MacNough is believed to have come into use in the 14th century, and is found mainly in the counties of Cork and Kerry today. It is a very old Irish name which would have been used to show loyalty and respect to a respected leader or national figure. It is still fairly uncommon today, but those who carry it are proudly connected to their Irish roots and ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNough: Where does the name MacNough come from?
The last name MacNough is most commonly found in regions of the United Kingdom and Ireland, especially in Northern Ireland, Scottish Highlands, and Wales. It is also found in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
In Scotland, MacNough is quite rare as a surname. In fact, only about 154 people bear this name in Scotland today. The greatest concentrations of this name are found in Northern Ireland (890) and Wales (224). In the United States, MacNough is still relatively uncommon, with only 864 people bearing the name. However, this number is growing as descendants of Irish and Scottish immigrants move to America.
Australia and Canada both have decent populations of MacNough. In Australia, the surname is found in all 5 major cities, with the most common occurrence occurring in eastern states such as Sydney and Melbourne. Canada has nearly 800 people with this last name in the country, mostly found in Ontario and British Columbia.
Worldwide, the last name MacNough is most prolific in Great Britain and Ireland, making up for over 2,500 people combined. England alone has nearly 1,500 people with this surname, making it the most populous area for the MacNough’s.
Overall, the last name MacNough is found in many countries, though it is most predominant in its native land of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its presence on other continents is growing as people with British and Irish heritage move to new countries.
Variations of the surname MacNough
The surname MacNough has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including MacNaugh, McNaugh, MacNagh, McNagh, MacNauch, McNauch, MacNauh, McNauh, MacNau, McNau, MacNOut, McNout and MacNoch.
The surname MacNough is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Chochaill. This translates to mean ‘son of the Hound’ and was most likely taken on by a man of Irish descent. It is thought that this surname may also have strong links to the Irish province of Ulster.
It is quite a rare surname that is found mainly in Ireland, most notably in counties Donegal and Northern Ireland. It is also seen in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands, but is not common there.
MacNough is an anglicised version of the surname, which developed over time from the original Gaelic Mac an Chochaill. This is likely due to the British occupying the island of Ireland in 16000 and again in 1800, leading to the use of the English language and English spelling of many surnames. Over time, various spellings and variations were adopted.
The fact that is a rare surname could also be attributed to the number of people with this name that emigrated to the United States, Canada and other English-speaking countries during the 19th century. It is also seen in areas where there is a strong Irish-American community, such as in New York. In terms of other countries, variations of this surname can be found as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name MacNough
- Bob MacNough: Former professional American football player.
- Mark MacNough: Actor and singer.
- Jan MacNough: Professional beach volleyball player.
- Amanda MacNough: Film and television actress.
- Scott MacNough: Professional mixed martial artist.
- Mike MacNough: Former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Andy MacNough: Bass guitarist, music producer, and composer.
- Meg MacNough: Jazz, blues, and folk singer.
- Tim MacNough: Professional basketball coach.
- Ryan MacNough: Soccer referee.