Surname MacOnachie - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacOnachie: What does the surname MacOnachie mean?
The last name MacOnachie is an Anglicised form of the Irish surname Mac Conchúbhair, which is derived from the Gaelic phrase 'Mac Conchuibhrigh', meaning "son of Conchobhar". The original Conchobhar was a legendary king of Ulster in Irish mythology who was renowned for his wisdom, courage and kindness.
The MacOnachie name is also found in Scotland, where it was brought by immigrants from Ireland in the 1600s. It is also sometimes found with the variants MacConchie, MacOnchuhy and MacInch.
Descendants of the MacOnachie family are now found throughout Scotland, Ireland and the wider world. Some members of the family have achieved noteworthy success in fields such as education, politics, art, music, and business.
The MacOnachie name is significant in Scotland and Ireland, as it marks a connection to our shared history and culture. It speaks of bravery, greatness and perseverance, as well as an understanding of the importance of community. In a world that is sometimes turbulent and uncertain, the MacOnachie name is a reminder of the strength and resilience of its people.
Order DNA origin analysisMacOnachie: Where does the name MacOnachie come from?
The surname MacOnachie is of Scottish origin. It is primarily associated with the Lowlands of Scotland (such as Fife, Lanarkshire, and Ayrshire), and particularly with Lanarkshire, the county where the MacOnachie clan is believed to have come from. Many MacOnachie families still live in Lanarkshire, particularly around the towns of Glasgow and Hamilton.
According to the 1881 census, the MacOnachie surname was most common in Scotland, where it was found at several places across the country, including Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, and Ayrshire. However, the surname has spread beyond Scotland over the years. It is now commonly found in countries such as England, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. In the United States, for example, it is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and California.
The MacOnachie surname is still quite common today in many different countries. In Scotland, it is still most commonly found in Lanarkshire and Glasgow. It is also common in other countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Those with the surname often belong to Clan MacOnachie, which is an official clan society open to all MacOnachie descendants.
Variations of the surname MacOnachie
MacOnachie is a relatively rare Scottish surname, which is derived from the ancient Gaelic MacConnochie or MacOnagle. It means 'son of Connochie' or 'son of Onagle', indicating that it was originally a patronymic name.
Variants of MacOnachie include MacUnaughy, MacAnaughy, MacInaughey, McInauchan, and MacInauchy. Spellings include MacOnachie, MacOnaughie, MacOnauchie, MacOnauchy, MacOnoothy, MacOnniky, MacOnakie, and MacOnockie. Many have now adopted anglicized forms such as McAnaughy, McEnaughey, McInaughey, McInaughy, and MacKenna.
The surname is particularly associated with the Merseyside area of England. It is also found in the Isle of Man, where it is generally spelled 'MacOnaughy' or 'MacOnachie'. Another variant, 'MacOnniky', can be found in Donegal.
The McEnaughy variant of the surname is believed to be found most often in the United States, originating in the Appalachians. It is thought to be a variation of the original MacOnachie, though the original spelling has since been lost. The variants of the name are believed to be derived from a form of the Gaelic Mac Connochie, and there are branches of the same name found in Scotland, Canada, England, and Ireland.
Overall, the surname MacOnachie has become increasingly popular in recent years and many have adopted Anglicized variants of the original spelling.
Famous people with the name MacOnachie
- David Maconachie: Scottish professional footballer who made over 200 appearances for Queen of the South and Brechin City during the early 2000s.
- Patrick Maconachie: British architect who is responsible for many of the restoration projects in London during the mid 1900s.
- Thomas Maconachie: British actor who starred in the television series The Tripods in the 1980s.
- Angus Maconachie: British-American actor who starred in the film The Miracle Worker in 1962.
- Mona Maconachie: Scottish-American playwright who wrote the play The Flats in 1973.
- Christina Maconachie: British microbiologist and professor at Goldsmiths University in London.
- Lily Maconachie: British-American fashion designer and founder of the Maconachie clothing line in the 1970s.
- Elspeth Maconachie: Scottish-American painter, illustrator, and muralist.
- Ken Maconachie: British author who wrote the book The Last Gentleman in 1987.
- Robert Maconachie: Canadian Olympic hurdler who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.