Surname MacNicholas - Meaning and Origin
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MacNicholas: What does the surname MacNicholas mean?
The last name MacNicholas is a variation of the Irish surname MacNichol, and is derived from the Gaelic language. The Gaelic version of the surname is Mac Niocail, which translates to "son of the champion". This word is likely to come from Niocail, which means ‘valor’, ‘bravery’, or ‘champion’.
The MacNicholas surname is part of the region of Scotland and Ireland known as the Western Isles and is commonly found in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Historically, the MacNicholas family came from the Clan MacNeacail, a strong warrior clan that is a branch of the larger Clan Donald.
Traditionally, the MacNicholas surname originates from the Island of Skye and the territories of Clan MacDonald of Sleat. To this day, the MacNicholas surname is still prominent in the region and can be found throughout Scotland, Ireland, and also in North America.
The MacNicholas name is widely associated with bravery, honor, and loyalty, and its members will often go to great lengths to protect their kin and honor their family’s name. This last name is also known for being associated with a strong sense of pride and a passionate and independent spirit, strengths that are deeply rooted in the family's history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNicholas: Where does the name MacNicholas come from?
The MacNicholas surname is found primarily in Ireland, with a significant population in the United States of America. The surname is particularly common in County Mayo, Ireland, with an estimated 3,000 civilians with the MacNicholas surname residing there as of the 2019 census. MacNicholas is also found in large numbers in other Irish provinces including Counties Sligo, Galway, and Belfast.
In the United States of America, the largest concentration of the MacNicholas surname is found in the northeastern states. Significant numbers can be found in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.MacNicholas is also found in other parts of the United States, particularly the South and Midwest, where descendants of Irish emigrants have settled.
Though the origin of the MacNicholas surname is uncertain, it is believed in Ireland to be an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Maolagáin, and this is believed to be a derivative of the Gaelic words for one who is liked and loved. As such, the surname conveys a certain sense of endearment and admiration, an attribute that may be reflected in the prevalence of the name in the countries in which it is found.
Variations of the surname MacNicholas
The MacNicholas surname has several variant spellings and surnames that are all derived from the same Irish origin. The most common spellings of the surname in Ireland are MacNicholas, McNicholas, MacNicholl, McNickle, and McNeice.
The surname can also be found in the Scottish Highlands, where variant spellings such as MacNichol, MacNicoll, and MacNeish are used. In Scotland, the surname is more commonly earned by those with Scottish ancestry.
The Irish form of the name, MacNicholas, is a derivative of the Gaelic “MacNiocail”, which means “son of Nicholas”. This name was adopted by many Irish families of Gaelic origin that were descendants of St. Nicholas. The name was also used by those of Norman descent in Ireland who adopted similar names as a way to fit in and avoid discrimination.
Variations of the standard spelling of MacNicholas can also be found in the form of MacNicol, MacKichol, MacCichol, McKichol, MacKychol, MacNichlaus, MacNichlas, and MacNickels. The variations and spellings of the surname can also be found in the form of Welsh and Old Norse surnames, such as MacNychael, MacNickel, MacSwine, Nickelson, and Nickelsdottir.
No matter the location or spelling, the MacNicholas surname is an Irish origin name, derived from the Gaelic “MacNiocail”, meaning “son of Nicholas.”
Famous people with the name MacNicholas
- Rhona MacNicholas: British film and TV actress and Executive Consultant for Warner Bros.
- Michael MacNicholas: Irish footballer who played in the League of Ireland.
- Gerry MacNicholas: former Canadian Senate page and prominent Ottawa businessman.
- Charles MacNicholas: Canadian actor best known for his work in the TV show "Degrassi: The Next Generation".
- Cormac MacNicholas: Irish poet, lyricist, performance artist, and novelist.
- Chris MacNicholas: Canadian radio, television, and theatre actor.
- Paddy MacNicholas: British comedy actor, best known for his role in the TV show "The IT Crowd".
- Darragh MacNicholas: Irish actor, best known for his roles in "The Tudors" and "Stardust".
- Janice MacNicholas: Scottish-Canadian stage and television actress.
- Ryan MacNicholas: American professional baseball pitcher.
- Sander MacNicholas: Dutch professional football player.
- Derrick MacNicholas: British-Canadian singer and songwriter.
- Seamus MacNicholas: American voice actor.
- Joe MacNicholas: Irish professional ice hockey player.
- Shane MacNicholas: Australian composer, arranger, and producer.