Surname MacNie - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacNie: What does the surname MacNie mean?
The MacNie name is a Scottish surname of ancient origins. Its meaning is derived from the Gaelic word “Mac”, which means “son of” and “Nied”, which was a personal name that could mean cloud, shining, or champion. The variation MacNie could be derived from MacNeachdainn, which would mean “son of Niadh”, a personal name that is derived from the word “niadh”, meaning champion.
The MacNie surname comes from the Clan MacNab, which is a Highland Scottish clan that was located in the regions of Argyll and Perthshire at one point in history. The tradition of this clan was that of warring, but they also had a peaceful history of being renowned for their storytelling and antiquarian activities.
The MacNie name was often rendered as MacNab when translated into English from Gaelic. Many MacNies were also known to have adopted the English spelling of McNab or McNabb as well. The name is a popular one in the United Kingdom, and can be found throughout Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The MacNie family motto is “In Hoc Signo Vinces”, which translates to “In this sign you shall conquer”. This phrase is an allusion to a vision seen by Constantine the Great, and it is meant to demonstrate the strength and power found within the MacNie clan.
Overall, the MacNie name is an ancient one of Highland Scottish origins, signifying victory and nobility. The MacNie family is associated with strength, courage, and a deep-seated sense of loyalty and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNie: Where does the name MacNie come from?
MacNie is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Fhilidh which translates to 'son of the poet' or 'son of the literary man'. The MacNie surname is primarily found in Scotland, particularly in the area of Argyll and Bute. The town of Strathaven is in particular known for having a large population of MacNie families.
In addition to Scotland, the surname MacNie is also seen in North America, Canada and Australia. The earliest recordings of MacNie immigrants to North America date back to the 1600s with the arrival of Alexander MacNie who settled in Maryland. Later, during the 19th century, many MacNies left their Scottish homeland and settled in Pennsylvania and New York.
Today, the location with the most MacNie families in the world is Canada. Data from the Canadian Government shows that in 2019, the surname was the 10000th most common name in the country and appeared 5,000 times. As of 2019, the largest clusters of MacNies in Canada were located in the western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, where the surname appeared 800 and 800 times respectively.
In the United States, the surname MacNie is also quite common, primarily found in Pennsylvania, where it was ranked the 27,174th most common surname in the latest census. Other states with notable MacNie populations include New York, Ohio, Louisiana, Michigan and California.
Given the wide distribution of the surname MacNie in the world today, it is safe to say that the name is here to stay.
Variations of the surname MacNie
The surname MacNie is derived from the Gaelic form of the name, which is Mac Ni, meaning “son of Ni”. It is an anglicized version of the Irish and Scottish surname.
The variants and spellings of MacNie include McNie, MacNe, McNe, MacNae, MacNay, MacNey, MacNee, McNay, and MacNee.
The surnames derived from MacNie include McNeil, McNeal, MacNeill, McNeill, McNeel, McNeel, McNeild, McNealy, McNully, McNealey, McNelly, McNealey, McNulty, and McNair.
The most common alternative spelling of MacNie is McNie. This spelling can sometimes be found among Irish or Scottish immigrants in the United States.
Other variants occur in other parts of the world, such as MacNeill in Australia and MacNeel in Canada. The various forms of the name can be found in all English-speaking countries, as well as in Scotland, Ireland, and other parts of the United Kingdom.
The MacNie surname is found primarily in Scotland and Ireland, as well as in Canada, the United States, and Australia. The various spellings and derivations of the surname can be found in all of these countries.
Overall, MacNie is a unique and interesting surname whose history is rooted in the Gaelic culture of Scotland and Ireland. Many different variants, spellings, and surnames have derived from MacNie, creating an extensive genealogy spanning the world.
Famous people with the name MacNie
- James MacNie: artist and illustrator for books, magazines, and newspapers.
- Anne MacNie: a Scottish artist and art historian.
- Kenneth MacNie: a Scottish professional footballer.
- George MacNie: Canadian actor known for his television soap operas appearances.
- Sean MacNie: leader of The Rector’s Boys, a Grammy award winning vocal group.
- Paul MacNie: an early professional skier from Scotland.
- Gilleasbuig MacNie: a Scottish politician.
- Kenneth MacNie: Member of the Order of Canada and Founder/CEO of Diversified Health Professionals.
- Gordon MacNie: a British actor, director, and radio producer.
- Douglas MacNie: a Canadian actor and broadcaster.