Surname MacNeish - Meaning and Origin
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MacNeish: What does the surname MacNeish mean?
The last name MacNeish is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic language. It is a habitational name, meaning it is derived from the name of the place a person lived. More specifically, it is a reduced form of Mac an Eisdeir, which mean “son of the judge” in Gaelic. In Scotland, judges of the law were known as eisdeirs, and went back in recorded history as far back as the 11th century.
Throughout its history, MacNeish has been used to describe many families in Scotland, and it continues to be carried down in Scottish families today. Although the eisdeirs were the original holders of the name, it also evolved to be used by many other families throughout Scotland whose lineages were not based on the original holders of the name.
The MacNeish name is also associated with the MacNeish clan in Scotland, and there is a wide variety of tartans and other items to represent MacNeish clan members. There are also notable people in Scotland that have carried the MacNeish name, including an early 19th century writer, Andrew MacNeish.
Today, MacNeish is a common surname in Scotland, and it is also commonly seen in other countries around the world. From its history as a habitational name, it has evolved into a widely used surname used to identify a wide variety of families – both those with historical connections to the original holders of the name, and those who have adopted the name.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNeish: Where does the name MacNeish come from?
The MacNeish surname is believed to have origins in Scotland, with many modern MacNeish families living in Scotland and England today. In MacNeish genealogy records, many family members appear to have emigrated over the years, making Scotland and England their new home.
The last name MacNeish is particularly concentrated around the English city of Liverpool. In fact, according to the 1881 British census, MacNeish was the 35th most common last name in the city, making it one of the most popular surnames in the region at the time.
Additionally, records indicate that MacNeish is also relatively common in Australia, where many emigrants of Scottish ancestry settled in the 18th and 19th centuries. According to the Australian census in 2018, MacNeish was the 461st most common last name in the country, with the most concentration in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.
Finally, records have also indicated that the surname MacNeish is quite common in the United States as well. The 2000 United States Census found that MacNeish was the 8,773rd most common surname in the country at the time. It appears that the surname is still fairly common there today, with many family members residing in states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio.
Variations of the surname MacNeish
The surname MacNeish has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames that are related to its origin. Variants include MacNish, MacNeese, McNeese, McNiece, and MacNiece. Spellings of MacNeish can be found as MacNeesh, MacNiecy, MacNyeish, and MacNyashe.
In Scotland, MacNeish is a sept of the Clan MacIntosh and others. It was also used to distinguish a smaller clan in Scotland, separate from the larger MacIntosh of the region. Thus, many of the spelling variations of the MacNeish surname have roots in the Scottish language since they are Gaelic words.
In Ireland, the surnames MacNamee and MacNaimh are similar to MacNeish and are believed to have evolved from the Anglicized version of the Irish Ó Gnimh (Gnimh means “allies”). The surnames MacGneevy, MacConvey, MacNamehey, MacKonkey, and MagNuimhe were adopted during the plantation period of Ireland in the mid-1500s when English settlers began to arrive and disrupted the traditional naming practices.
It should be noted that other surnames and variants of MacNeish may also exist, as the surname has gone through several changes over its centuries of existence.
Famous people with the name MacNeish
- Ryan MacNeish: actor, producer, creator for Wet The Hippo
- Sal MacNeish: platinum selling songwriter
- David MacNeish: former Mayoral candidate for York Region, Ontario
- Dylan MacNeish: stunt actor and stunt coordinator
- Bob MacNeish: child star from The Patty Duke Show
- Maureen MacNeish: activist for autism in Canada
- Rick MacNeish: retired professional hockey player
- Julie MacNeish: novelist, author of A Grand Unified Theory of Love
- Matthew MacNeish: Canadian musician and singer-songwriter
- Regan MacNeish: professional dancer known for her appearances in music videos and tours