Surname M'Quhen - Meaning and Origin

M'Quhen: What does the surname M'Quhen mean?

The last name M'Quhen is of Scottish origin. It originates from the Gaelic phrase mhicCuin, meaning "son of Quhin" or "son of Coen". The name Quhin is derived from the Gaelic personal name Coin, meaning "beloved" or "fair in countenance".

The popularity of this name is found in the area of Scotland known today as the Lowlands, though it is believed to have originated in old Irish and Gaelic languages. Historically, the surname M'Quhen was used to refer to a person from the region of Kinross-shire, near the border of Scotland and England.

Though the exact meaning of M'Quhen is not certain, it is believed to have had many different variations over time. In some areas, the spelling of the name was altered with the inclusion of an apostrophe. In other cases, the spelling of the name itself was changed to incorporate the initials "Mc" or "M'", which indicate a patronymic origin or bloodline.

The M'Quhens originally belonged to a smaller, rural community in and around the Kinross-shire area. During the 19th century, the family spread in small numbers to various regions throughout Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom. Nowadays, the M'Quhen surname is relatively common, though still largely confined to the same potato-rich, sloping hills of the region that it originated from.

M'Quhen: Where does the name M'Quhen come from?

The last name M'Quhen is most common today in Scotland, the UK, and other parts of Northern Europe. It is believed to be of Scottish origin, and is typically spelled "McQuhen" or "MacQuhen". The variations of the name include M'Quhen, McQuhen, MacQuhen, and M'Cuehen. The surname is an Anglicised variant of the Gaelic surname Mac Quean.

The earliest recorded use of the M'Quhen surname dates back to the mid-17th century in Scotland and the British Isles. As with many surnames of Scottish origin, it was most likely adopted by the Scottish Clan of Clan M'Quhen following the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Since then, it has spread to other Northern European countries and the Americas, with notable concentrations in Canada and the United States.

The most notable bearer of the surname M'Quhen is the Scottish lifter and weightlifter James M'Quhen, who won silver in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. In the United States, the last name M'Quhen can be found all over the country, with the largest concentrations in Illinois, Texas, Michigan, and California.

Though not as popular as some other surnames, the M'Quhen name is still quite common today. It has a strong presence in Northern Europe, the UK, Canada, and the United States, and is still carried by generations of Scots.

Variations of the surname M'Quhen

The surname M'Quhen has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The most commonly found variants of M'Quhen include: M'Quhon, M'Qhoen, M'Qhen, and M'Quhen. These variants are likely derived from an ancestral spelling, and have been changed over time to reflect the regional dialect or pronunciation of the name.

An often seen variant spelling is spelled ‘MacQuhen’, which has the prefix 'Mac' meaning ‘Son of’, as seen in many Scottish, Irish, and English names. It is likely that this spelling was adopted by immigrants to the United States to either make their name more pronounceable, or to fit in better with the new language and culture.

Surnames of the same origin as M'Quhen include MacGowen, MacKeen, MacEwan, MacQuay, MacQuaig, and MacGwinn. These surnames all derive from a derived of the Gaelic name Mac Oighinn meaning ‘son of the young man’.

Furthermore, alternate spellings like M'Kween, M'Quin, M'Gwheen, M'Gween, and M'Couhen have been seen as variants of the surname.

Overall, many subtle variations and alterations of the M'Quhen surname exist, offering an insight into the evolution, pronunciation, and history of the name.

Famous people with the name M'Quhen

• Gabrielle M'Quhen: editor-in-chief of digital magazine ‘Extraordinary Chronicles’, host of ‘Diving into the Arts’ podcast, advocate for sustainable luxury fashion, and advocate for corporate inclusion and social justice.
• Mary M'Quhen: founder of the M'Quhen Couture label, a sustainable fashion label focused on empowering independent artisan makers in Africa.
• Justin M'Quhen: prominent National Basketball Association (NBA) analyst, commentator, and NBA game analyst.
• Alexander M'Quhen: professional filmmaker, video editor, and musician.
• Phil M'Quhen: multiple Grammy nominated professional songwriter penning major US and international hits.
• Blaze M'Quhen: founder and CEO of one of the most successful IT startups in the country at the age of 22.
• Ella M'Quhen: Innovation Award winner for creating an open source software that enables financial access to over sixteen countries across the globe.
• Richard M'Quhen: Assistant Professor of Engineering at the National Institute of Technology and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Engineers.
• Jonathan M'Quhen: professional musician, composer, and singer-songwriter, known for his award-winning soundtracks and live performances.
• Ray M'Quhen: founder of multiple tech startups and winner of multiple awards and accolades for his innovative ideas in the field of AI.

Other surnames

M'QuheenM'Quhyne