Surname MacNeur - Meaning and Origin
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MacNeur: What does the surname MacNeur mean?
The last name MacNeur is an Irish name. It is thought to have derived from the Gaelic word "Mac an Oir," which translates to English as "son of the gold." This could indicate a familial line that had some wealth or was made up of wealthy merchants.
The MacNeur family can trace its roots all the way back to the 12th century. At this time, the family were closely affiliated with the MacKennas, a powerful and influential clan in the Irish kingdom of Tir Conaill. The two clans were known to be loyal allies and together they helped the Kingdom to maintain stability and prosperity throughout its existence.
The MacNeur family has produced some famous members in recent centuries. Aloysius MacNeur, the first Baronet of Raheen, was one of the most renowned members of the family. He was a prominent politician in Ireland and helped to shape the nation's history. The MacNeur-Gaunt family were a powerful and influential Irish economic dynasty that rose to prominence in the 19th century.
The MacNeur name carries with it centuries of Irish history and culture. It stands for a powerful and influential family that was closely associated with the fortunes of the Irish kingdom. Today, the name is still seen in many families and continues to maintain its strong connection to its ancestral roots.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNeur: Where does the name MacNeur come from?
The last name MacNeur is today most common in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands. It is still quite popular in Scotland, as it has been around for centuries, and is believed to date back to the 12th century when it was adopted by a clan of Scots who lived in the area. The surname, derived from the Gaelic word for "son of Neil," is thought to have been hereditary amongst a local clan in the ancient kingdom of Scotland.
More recently, MacNeur can be found in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as many people of Scottish descent have emigrated from Scotland in search of a better life. In the United States, it is most common in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. It is less common in Canada, with the highest concentration being found in the province of Alberta.
Additionally, it can also be found in the small fraction of Scots living in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as in the homes of the descendants of Scots who immigrated from Scotland to these nations. The descendants of a small number of Scottish soldiers who were stationed in India during the 19th century can also trace their roots back to Scotland, and as such may also have the surname MacNeur.
Despite its long history and ties to Scotland, the MacNeur surname is still relatively rare, but it is encountered more often than one might expect. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Scots, with the surname helping to honour their proud heritage around the world.
Variations of the surname MacNeur
MacNeur is both a given name and a surname that belongs to the Scottish and Irish clan, MacNaughton. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include MacNair, MacNayer, MacNerie, MacNeal, MacNee, MacNeir, MacNeish, MacNelly, MacNeomy, MacNerland, MacNesbit, MacNew, MacNichol, MacNish, MacNorton, MacNulty, MacNuair, MacNuir, MacNurkin, MacNurland, MacNurley, and MacNurrin.
In some forms, MacNeur is a variant of the Irish version of the French surname McNally or Manally. Other variants of MacNeur are the Irish cognate of the Scottish McNaughton or McNeir.
MacNeur is derived from Mac an Neur, meaning "son of the champion" or "son of the hero". In Scottish Gaelic, the surname is Mac na Neur, meaning "son of the roaring one". It can be translated as "son of the loud one" in Irish Gaelic.
The spellings of MacNeur have changed over time in various dialects of Irish and Scottish Gaelic. In some cases, the letter "e" is used for the letter "u", and the letter "o" is used for the letter "a". In other cases, the surname is spelled MacNuer or MacNally. The spellings reflect regional differences in long-standing pronunciation of the surname.
MacNeur is often found in parts of Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. There are a few people with the spelling MacNeur that can be found in records dating as far back as 9th century Scotland. In the United States, the forms MacNeal, MacNelly, MacNulty, and MacNealy are mostly common.
Famous people with the name MacNeur
- Jacob MacNeur: British footballer who played as a goalkeeper from the period of 1950-1960.
- Thomas MacNeur: Scottish poet and political activist from the 19th century.
- Ian MacNeur: President of the Canadian Association of Distributive Trade Educators.
- James MacNeur: Irish composer and organist who worked in New York until his death in 1899.
- Julie MacNeur: Scottish actor who is best known for her role in the 2009 film "The Maiden's Prayer".
- William MacNeur: British-born American professor and zoologist at the University of Pennsylvania who studied the evolutionary history of fishes in the Atlantic Ocean.
- John MacNeur: Scottish barrister and politician who served in the House of Commons in the 1850s.
- Alan MacNeur: Canadian soldier and recipient of the Fortress of Quebec Medal in 1858.
- Charles MacNeur: Canadian-born sculptor best known for his bronze sculptures depicting figures from Canadian history.
- Alexander MacDonald MacNeur: Scottish architect from the 19th century who was responsible for the design of many public buildings in his hometown of Glasgow.