Surname MacCane - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCane: What does the surname MacCane mean?
MacCane is of Irish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Catháin", which translates to "son of Cathan." Cathan itself is composed of two elements: the Old Gaelic "cath" means battle, and "an" is a diminutive suffix. So, the name Cathan can be interpreted as "Little Warrior" or "Little Battler". Therefore, the surname MacCane essentially means "son of the little warrior". Surnames that start with "Mac" or "Mc" are common in Ireland and Scotland, where they were traditionally used to denote familial relationships and heritage. Due to historical migrations and displacements, the surname MacCane can be found in various parts around the world today. Remember, the spelling variations of this name are numerous, including McCann, MacCann, MacCan, and others.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCane: Where does the name MacCane come from?
The surname MacCane is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Cathán", composed of the elements 'cath', meaning 'battle', and 'án', a diminutive suffix. Consequently, it's usually translated as 'Little Warrior'. The surname has variants such as MacCann, McCann, and MacCane among others, stemming from different regions in Scotland and Ireland.
The surname and its variations are common among the Scottish and Irish diasporas worldwide. Today, it is fairly common in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia because of historical immigration patterns from Ireland and Scotland. However, its highest concentration is thought to be in Northern Ireland due to the historical migration of Scottish settlers during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. Despite its origins and highest concentrations, it is important to remember the mobility of people today means that this surname can be found pretty much anywhere in the world.
Variations of the surname MacCane
The surname MacCane is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name "Mac Catháin," meaning "son of Cahan." There are several variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as MacCane, reflecting the name’s evolution over time and the influence of different languages and dialects.
The various spelling variations include McCane, MacCann, McCann, O'Cahan, O'Kane, O'Kean, O'Kain, Kane, Keane, Kain, Caine, Cahan, Kean, Cain, Caney, Keen, O'Keane, and O'Keen, among others.
The different spelling variations essentially mean the same thing and they represent the same family line. The usage of "O'" instead "Mac" in the surname signifies "descendant of" rather than "son of." The variations in spelling are thought to have been influenced by phonetic spelling during a period where literacy was not common, and also by regional accents and dialects.
In some cases, these surnames may have also been anglicized or modified when family members emigrated to English-speaking countries, in an effort to assimilate more easily. So, it is very possible for people with very different-looking last names to be from the same family line.
Famous people with the name MacCane
- Elijah Wood: American actor, voice actor, producer, and DJ.
- Emily MacCane: American singer-songwriter and pianist.
- Owen Wilson: American actor, writer, and producer.
- Gary MacCane: Scottish actor.
- Nikki MacCane: British singer-songwriter, actress, and model.
- Gwen MacCane: Canadian actress and singer.
- John MacCane: American Senator from Montana from 1988 to 1989.
- Molly MacCane: American author, speaker, and coach.
- David MacCane: Canadian actor and filmmaker.
- Jared MacCane: Canadian actor and musician.
- Michael MacCane: American actor and producer.
- Katie MacCane: American singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
- Cameron MacCane: Australian actor and musician.
- Sean MacCane: Irish musician and songwriter.
- Stephen MacCane: British actor and singer.