Surname MacNaghten - Meaning and Origin
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MacNaghten: What does the surname MacNaghten mean?
The last name MacNaghten is derived from the Scottish Gaelic Mac Neachdainn. The literal translation of the surname is "son of the loud one" or "son of the champion". It is believed to have originated with an Irish bard from the 10th century, Neachdainn Mor.
The MacNaghten surname is an old one, commonly found in the Scottish Highlands near Loch Lomond and along the western coast. The family has been traced back to the 11th century and was part of the "clan culture" of pre-Reformation Scotland.
The family name MacNaghten was most famously noted in the 19th century for its association with Sir Edward Bowyer-Smijth-MacNaghten, most commonly referred to as Sir Edward MacNaghten. He was a British lawyer, civil servant, and a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, most notably known for his involvement in what became known as the Indian Mutiny of 1857.
In addition to its historical significance, there are families today that still carry the MacNaghten surname, often located in Scotland, Ireland and England. The surname is commonly seen as a form of pride, as it signifies strong family ties and expresses the values of courage and loyalty that have been the hallmarks of the MacNaghten name.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNaghten: Where does the name MacNaghten come from?
The surname MacNaghten is historically most commonly found in Scotland, although it is also seen in Ireland, England, and throughout the world. In Scotland, the Clan MacNaghten is one of the oldest and most respected clans of the Highlanders. It is believed that the MacNaghtens were thought to have descended from the ancient kings of Connaught in Ireland.
The MacNaghtens were prominent throughout the medieval period of Scotland and during the reign of King Edward I of England, the MacNaghtens swore fealty to the crown. During the Jacobite Wars, the MacNaghtens, like many Highland clans, threw their support behind the Jacobite cause. However, the defeat of Charles Edward Stuart at Culloden in 1745 led to a massive migration of Scottish Highlanders to the Americas and all around the world.
In modern times, the surname MacNaghten continues to be found throughout Scotland, Ireland, and England, as well as in the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Despite the dispersal of the clan and surname, the legacy of the MacNaghten people and their heroic struggles for freedom have not been forgotten.
Variations of the surname MacNaghten
MacNaghten is an Irish surname with varied spellings, including MacNaghten, MacNeachtain, MacNaghton, MacNamee, McNechten, McNaghten, McNammee, MacNaghton, MacNeighten and MacCenighe.
MacNaghten is derived from the Irish Mac Neachtain, which means 'son of Neachtan', a personal name of uncertain origin. It is thought to have been derived from Nadh, which means "noble" or "strong".
The name has been variously spelt MacNeachtan, MacNaghten, MacNamee, Macneachtan, MacNaghton, MacNeighten, Macneachtin, McNeachtin, McNeachtain and McNechten.
The MacNaghten family descends from the Irish king Niall of the Nine Hostages, making it one of the oldest Irish clans. The clan was among the first to migrate to Scotland, during which time the surname changed to MacNamee and McNammee.
As the Irish continued to migrate to other countries, the spelling changed to McNaghten, MacNaghton and McNeighten.
The family name was also found in England, where it became McNechten and McNaghten.
The various spellings of MacNaghten all bear the same origin and tell the same story. Despite the changes, each spelling reflects the long and proud heritage of the MacNaghten family.
Famous people with the name MacNaghten
- Sir Melville Leslie MacNaghten (1853-1921): Chief Constable of the London Metropolitan Police
- Henry MacNaghten (1732-1812): Scottish physician and philanthropist
- Sir William MacNaghten (1793-1841): British administrator in India and Afghanistan
- Edgar MacNaghten (1876-1952): British Royal Air Force officer
- Stanley MacNaghten (1886-1968): Scottish soldier and author
- James MacNaghten (1818-1867): British army officer
- Martin MacNaghten (1830-1914): English Lancashire industrialist
- Andrew MacNaghten (1793-1853): British civil servant in India
- Sir Edward MacNaghten (1833-1917): British judge and legal writer
- Lydia MacNaghten (1856-1935): English journalist, novelist and playwright