Surname McReynolds - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test Unravels Unexpected Insights into McReynolds Lineage: A Personal Account

Initially, I embarked on this DNA test journey hoping to validate what I believed I knew about my McReynolds ancestors. The purported primordial Scandinavian roots, rumored Scottish affiliations, the supposed Norman Conquest connections, all made for compelling family folklore that intrigued me. The comprehensive analysis afforded by iGENEA, however, unraveled startling revelations that reshuffled my perceptions about my familial ancestry.

R. McReynolds

McReynolds: What does the surname McReynolds mean?

The surname McReynolds is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Ragnaill." "Mac" traditionally means 'son of,' while "Ragnaill" is derived from the Norse name Rögnvaldr, which can be further dissected into two parts: 'rögn' meaning 'gods,' and 'valdr' meaning 'ruler.' Thus, the full meaning can be interpreted as 'son of the ruler of gods.' It was used to denote offspring of popular rulers of Irish and Scottish lineages with Norse Viking ties. The surname is mostly commonly found in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Like many Irish and Scottish surnames, the spelling of McReynolds has transformed over the years with common variations including: Reynolds, MacRannell, MacReynold, and MacRannel, among others. Therefore, the last name McReynolds symbolizes a sense of power, leadership, and divine connection, reflecting the family's connection with its historic roots.

McReynolds: Where does the name McReynolds come from?

The last name McReynolds is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Mac Raghnaill, which means "son of Reynolds". The name Reynolds itself is of Norse origin, originally being "Rognvaldr", which means "judgement ruler".

The McReynolds family history can be traced back to the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. Over the centuries, as Scots emigrated to escape economic hardship, the McReynolds surname spread. This resulted in a diaspora of McReynolds families, primarily in English-speaking countries.

Today, the McReynolds last name is most common in the United States, likely due to waves of Scottish and Irish immigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. According to the most recent census data, there are more than 13,000 individuals in the United States with the last name McReynolds, most prevalently found in states like Texas, California, and Tennessee. However, it is still relatively common in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Variations of the surname McReynolds

The surname McReynolds has its roots in the Gaelic traditions of the ancient Scots. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name Raghnall, which is composed of two elements, "ragn" meaning counsel, and "valdr" meaning rule. This name was introduced to the British Isles by the Norse during their invasions.

The surname McReynolds is often spelled differently, depending on the region and the preference of the individual holding the name. These alternative spellings can include Reynolds, Reynell, MacRannell, MacRenolds, and even Rennell.

In Ireland, the surname is usually Mac Raghnaill, but it often became Reynolds, possibly due to the influence of the Spanish "Reinaldo". The McReynolds variant is most common in Scotland.

Thus, the surname McReynolds and its variants are an example of patronymic surnames, which are derived from the personal name of an ancestor, indicating the son of Raghnall.

Famous people with the name McReynolds

• Lloyd McReynolds: An American jurist who served in the United States Supreme Court from 1922-1941.
• Jim McReynolds: Also known as Jesse McReynolds, he is an American bluegrass musician, regarded as an innovator for his unique mandolin style.
• Matthew McReynolds: An American lawyer and civil rights activist.
• Dan McReynolds: An American television sports host and reporter.
• Larry McReynolds: A former NASCAR crew chief and commentator for Fox NASCAR.
• David McReynolds: An American politician and activist, long-time leader for the Socialist Party USA and pacifist activist with War Resisters League.
• Kevin McReynolds: Retired major league baseball outfielder who played for the New York Mets among other teams.
• Norma McReynolds: An American activist who served on the board of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
• James Clarke McReynolds: A United States Attorney General and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Fergus McReynolds: A leading figure in the Northern Ireland Scout movement.
• Darren McReynolds: An accomplished Irish playwright and theatre director.
• Emma McReynolds: A notable Australian environmentalist and philanthropist.

Other surnames

McReynolds.