Surname MacNutt - Meaning and Origin
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MacNutt: What does the surname MacNutt mean?
The last name MacNutt is of Scottish origin. It is an Anglicization of the Gaelic Mac an Bhuit, which means "son of Buit". The name Buit is derived from the old Norse name Bolli, which is composed of elements meaning "beloved" and "axe".
The MacNutts were first recorded as a Celtic clan in the 12th Century. They were one of the many families that inhabited the Argyll region of Scotland and the Hebrides islands, primarily on the island of Islay. The MacNutts were part of the ancient kingdom of Dalriada, which was a shared kingdom between the Picts and Scots that eventually unified into the Kingdom of Alba.
The MacNutts were often represented in various branches of the Scotland military forces, particularly in the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy. Many MacNutts also served as blacksmiths and metalworkers, contributing to Scotland’s economic growth.
In modern times, the name MacNutt is still widely used throughout Scotland, Canada, England, and the United States. Today, the MacNutts remain connected through various clan associations, some of which are dedicated to preserving the family's history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacNutt: Where does the name MacNutt come from?
The surname MacNutt is predominantly found in Canada, specifically in the Atlantic region of the country. In the 2016 Canadian Census, the largest concentration of people with the MacNutt surname were found in the province of Prince Edward Island (PEI).
The first known MacNutt settlers to PEI arrived in 1782 when Major John MacNutt arrived in North Rustico from Scotland. He was the first official Protestant minister on the Island. Other members of the prominent MacNutt family arrived in PEI in the following years. Many of these immigrants settled in the area around North Rustico, the place of Major John MacNutt’s arrival.
Today, the MacNutt surname is still concentrated in the eastern portion of PEI, where it is one of the most common surnames. Many of the MacNutts in PEI today can trace their family line directly back to Major John MacNutt and the original settlers from Scotland. The surname is also found in a few pockets of Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, however it is much less common.
The MacNutt surname can also be found in the United States, Australia, Great Britain, and other countries as immigrants from the Atlantic region moved around the world to start new lives. However, the most common region in the world to find the MacNutt surname today remains in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
Variations of the surname MacNutt
The surname MacNutt is spelled several different ways, including McNutt, McNut, Macnutt, Macnaught, MacNaught, and Macnot. The spelling variations are believed to be due to phonetic spelling of the Gaelic Mac an Mhadaidh, meaning "son of the bear". This surname was brought to Scotland in the 13th century by Norse settlers.
McNutt is the most common spelling of the surname, and variants can be found mostly in Scotland and Ireland. Additionally, descendants of those who emigrated have spread the surname to other countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Variant surnames for MacNutt include, MacNaid, McNaghten, McNight, McNaught, MacNeight, Macネット, and MacNiet. All of these surnames are derived from 'Mac an Mhadaidh' and indicate a connection to the original MacNutt family.
The MacNutt surname is likely to have several spellings and variants due to the phonetic spelling of the original Gaelic name. All of these surnames provide evidence of a shared family origin for descendants who have spread to numerous countries around the world.
No matter the spelling or variant, the MacNutt surname will continue to be found for generations to come, connecting family members and preserving a shared family heritage.
Famous people with the name MacNutt
- Joey MacNutt: Canadian singer-songwriter from Prince Edward Island.
- Alexander MacNutt: Canadian journalist and media mogul who established the Maritime Telegraph and Cable Company (now Bell Aliant).
- David MacNutt: Canadian classical guitarist, composer and sound engineer.
- Jeff MacNutt: Canadian Paralympic swimmer who competed at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney.
- Matthew MacNutt: Canadian fashion designer and founder of the brand MENcierge.
- J. B. MacNutt: Canadian physician and public health expert who served as the chairman of various Canadian health organizations.
- Daphne MacNutt: Canadian composer, musician, and educator.
- Patricia MacNutt: Canadian journalist and author of books on maritime topics.
- Evan MacNutt: Canadian musician and songwriter from Newfoundland.
- Kaleb MacNutt: Canadian fiddler from Nova Scotia.