Surname MacNea - Meaning and Origin
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MacNea: What does the surname MacNea mean?
The surname MacNea is a common Scottish surname. It is derived from an archaic Gaelic word, "Mac" meaning "son," and "Néamh," meaning "heavenly." Together, this surname literally translates as "son of heavenly being" or "son of God."
The MacNeas were originally a powerful sept of the Clan MacKay, so the family name has a long and distinguished history. The MacNea or McNeat families were first found in the Highlands of Scotland, where the family held a family seat from the Gravin of Sutherland in olden days.
The MacNeas were an ancient and noble family, many of whom were active in politics and the Scottish feudal system. They were also renowned for their heroic deeds in Scottish battles. Much of the history of the MacNea surname can be traced back to 1650, when members of the family were recorded in the court records of Scotland.
The MacNea family crest is a framed castle, indicating their proud heritage and ancestry. The family motto – "Vive ut Vivas"– translates to "Live, That You May Live." This motto embodies the MacNea family's perseverance, strength, and courage in the face of adversity.
Many of the descendants of the MacNea family moved around the world, settling in places like the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. As such, the MacNea surname is now widely dispersed, and those who bear it can be found around the globe.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNea: Where does the name MacNea come from?
The last name MacNea is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and parts of Ireland. It stands as a Gaelic variant of the name MacNee, meaning “son of the small one”. It is believed to have first originated with the Clan MacNee, a family descended from the tenth-century Irish leader Niall of the Nine Hostages. The name is quite rare today, but still has some people carrying it within the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The MacNea family can trace a long and illustrious history, with many famous people associated with the name. There are several prominent members of the extended MacNea family, including Michael Caine, the well-known actor; John MacNea, a noted lawyer in Scotland; and the Earl of Stornoway, who is a member of the British House of Lords and holds a Scottish title.
The name MacNea is also very common in many parts of the United States. In fact, it is the 14th most frequently occurring surname in the entire nation. There are many people who hold the MacNea surname across America, particularly on the east coast around the states of New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. It is likely that the last name became popular in this region due to the number of Irish immigrants who came to the United States in the 19th century.
Today, the MacNea last name is a proud Irish-Gaelic tradition that still stands strong in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. It is a heritage that people take pride in, and a surname that is held in high regard among those with ancestors who shared it.
Variations of the surname MacNea
The surname MacNea (or alternatively MacNéa) is an anglicised version of the Irish Gaelic MacNeachtain, meaning ‘son of the servant of (Saint) Cachtan’. Historically it was most commonly found in Counties Armagh and Down, and the variants which have come down through the centuries demonstrate the further evolution of the name.
The most visible variant is MacNaughton, which is popularly known as the anglicised version of the surname in Ireland. However, there are other variants of MacNea that can be seen, many of which have appeared in townlands, churches and graveyards throughout the country. Here are some of the most common:
McNoe, McNay, McNee, McNees, McNaughtan, McNeeye, MacAnaghton, MacKnaughton, MacNaghten, MacAnaghtan, McNeil, McNeal, MacNeal, MacNeel, MacKneil, and MacNeale.
The spelling of the name MacNea can also change depending on the dialect found in the region. In some parts of Ireland, the name is pronounced as ‘MacNee’ or ‘McNoe’ whereas in other parts of the country the surname can be heard pronounced as ‘MacNay’ or ‘McNaughtan’.
The other surnames of the same origin include some of MacNee and MacNea. These names will typically have a prefix before or after the MacNea/MacNee, such as O’MacNea, MacConMacNea, FitzMacNea, and MacMacNea.
The words ‘Mac’ and ‘Mc’ used with the surnames are interchangeable, meaning you may see a name spelt with one kind of the prefix at one point in time, and the other at another. All of these words demonstrate the different regional ways of spelling the same surname, which makes it quite difficult to definitively determine the origin.
Famous people with the name MacNea
- Mark MacNea: a British actor notable for playing Lord Chief Justice Peter Hardwicke in Judge John Deed
- Barry MacNea: a retired Northern Irish footballer who played for clubs including Inverness Caledonian Thistle
- John J. MacNea: an American mathematician best known for numerical analysis
- Monica MacNea: a contemporary Irish poet and essayist 5.Justin MacNea: an Australian football player who previously played for Melbourne City FC
- Declan MacNea: an American professional wrestler and former WWE Cruiserweight Champion
- Lutz MacNea: a German author and journalist
- Robin MacNea: the lead vocalist of the Glasgow-based alt folk rock band, Little Barrie
- Paul MacNea: a British-born jazz organist, composer, and arranger
- David F. MacNea: an American painter and muralist