Surname Magennis - Meaning and Origin
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Magennis: What does the surname Magennis mean?
Magennis is a surname rooted in Irish Gaelic heritage, derived from the word “Mag Aonghusa,” which literally translates to "son of Angus." Angus or Aonghus is a traditional Gaelic name, which can be broken down into “Aon,” meaning one, and “Gus,” meaning choice. Hence, Aonghus is often interpreted as “one choice,” signifying uniqueness or preeminence. The Magennis clan originated in the territory of Iveagh in County Down, Northern Ireland, and held significant power and influence during the Middle Ages. By adopting this surname, descendants are acknowledging their lineage and connection to this ancient family, their ancestral lands, and Gaelic history. Being an Irish surname, it is also a part of a larger Celtic heritage that has a rich folklore and mythology. The meaning of the name Magennis can thus embody these many layers of familial, historic, and cultural significance.
Order DNA origin analysisMagennis: Where does the name Magennis come from?
The last name Magennis, also known as MacAonghusa or Mag Aonghusa in Irish, originates from Ireland. The name is derived from two Gaelic words: "Mac," meaning "son of", and "Aonghus," a personal name meaning "one strength". The name specifically traces back to the ancient kingdom of Oriel, which encompassed parts of the Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Magennis family was known to be one of the most influential Gaelic families, holding various titles as lords and earls throughout history.
The Magennis surname is commonly found today in Northern Ireland, specifically in counties Down and Armagh. However, due to the historical Irish diaspora, the name is also fairly common in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of the UK, where many Irish people migrated over centuries. Despite this dispersion, the highest concentration of individuals with the Magennis surname is still found in Ireland.
Variations of the surname Magennis
The surname Magennis is of Irish origin and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mag Aonghuis" which means "son of Angus". There are several variations and alternative spellings of this surname due to regional differences, phonetic transcriptions, and translation from Gaelic into English.
These alternate spellings include Maginnis, Maginnes, McGinnis, McGennis, Magens, M'Gennis, Maggenis, and Magenis.
The variations often occur due to differing English phonetic translations of the original Gaelic name. As such, same-origin last names may also include surnames that are derived from the personal name "Angus", for example, MacAngus or McCance.
It's also worth noting that some surnames can be prefixed with "Mac" or "Mc", both meaning "son of", or sometimes with an "O'" prefix meaning "grandson of". Therefore, variations prefixed with "O'" are also possible.
Moreover, changes in surnames also occurred as Irish families emigrated to other countries, and it was Anglicized in various forms based on pronunciation. Dundas is a Scottish surname that has been shown to link directly back to the Magennis clan in Ireland, due to a family who changed their name when they moved to Scotland from Ireland.
In conclusion, like many surnames with Gaelic origins, there are numerous ways that the surname Magennis can be spelled and pronounced, reflecting the rich history of the name and the people who bear it. This adds to the diversity of the name and its variants all over the world.
Famous people with the name Magennis
- David Magennis: British swimmer and member of the 1940 Summer Olympics team.
- Paddy Magennis: former Northern Irish footballer who played as an inside forward.
- Niall Magennis: Irish actor, best known for his performances in films such as 'A Date for Mad Mary' and 'The Flag'.
- Jack Magennis: former Northern Irish professional footballer, who played as an outside left.
- Joe Magennis: former Irish professional footballer who played as an inside right.
- Gerry Magennis: Irish Gaelic footballer for Club Armagh and the Armagh county team.
- Deirdre Magennis: Irish actor known for her roles in 'Damo and Ivor', 'Game Of Thrones', and 'Seegal and the Penguin'.
- Ewan Magennis: Northern Irish actor, best known for his performance in the Netflix show 'The Stranger'.
- Jake Magennis: former Northern Irish footballer who played as a midfielder.
- Cat Magennis: British artist known for her contemporary abstract oils and mixed media.