Surname Quain - Meaning and Origin

Quain: What does the surname Quain mean?

The last name Quain is thought to have originated in Cornwall in the United Kingdom. It is thought to have derived as a local surname, likely from the British Celtic and Old Norse languages due to its unique spelling. In Old Norse, the word 'quain' (or 'kvá) means 'wedge-shaped'. This could refer to either a geographical feature like a hidden valley, or a nickname for someone who had an angular head shape.

The surname is also found in areas of France, where it may have switched from the same Celtic or Old Norse roots, or could simply be a coincidence of spelling. In France, the name is also thought to possibly originate from the Latin word quarella, meaning 'to separate legitimately', in the sense that the family who took on the name had managed to establish their own separate and particular place in the local community.

For several centuries, Quain descendants have been recorded in Cornwall, mostly settling in the parishes around Penzance, but families have also ventured further afield to other parts of the UK, the United States, and Canada. Generally the Quain name has been a moderately common one, although there have always been other related spellings in existence, such as Quaines, Quayles, and Quailes.

Overall, Quain families can be proud of their long history and origins, which have taken them from Cornwall to every corner of the globe. As they continue to settle in new countries, their lives will add more strands to an already fascinating family history.

Quain: Where does the name Quain come from?

The surname Quain is a relatively uncommon name today and is primarily found in the United States. It is derived from the Irish surname "MacCuain" meaning "son of Cuain". Historically, the name was used mainly in the Province of Connaught in Ireland - today, it is mainly found in the northeast corner of the United States in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Most people with this name of Irish descent can trace their roots to the 1700s when the family migrated to the United States to escape the Great Famine. Quain is primarily a Catholic name, and some bearers of the name may also trace their roots to the Scottish or English Quaynes.

People whose ancestors are of the Quain surname can be found around the world. There are Quains living in Australia, Canada, and throughout Europe. In the United States, you can find Quains in nearly every state.

The Quain family is very proud of their history and have done much to ensure it is never forgotten. The Quain fellowship was organized to bring together and help those of the Quain name, such as organizing reunions and helping to trace family ancestry. There is an annual gathering in Pennsylvania called the Quain Reunion, held every August, which attracts hundreds of Quains from around the globe.

The surname Quain is not particularly common today. However, the people that bear the name are proud of their heritage and connected by their shared history.

Variations of the surname Quain

The surname Quain is an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Caoin or O Caoin. It derives from the Gaelic word "caoin" which means "hospitable" or "kind". The Irish root "O" meaning "grandson of" is also added to the surname.

Variants of the Quain surname are various existing spellings of the original "O Caoin" source name, such as O Cahan, O Caen, O Cane, O Coinne, O Caoine, and O Coen. There are also some variants which include the prefixes Mac (meaning "son of") or Fit (meaning "family of"; in this case, FitzQuain).

Common surnames of the same origin include Quain, Caen, Caan, Cane, Coinne, Caoine, Coen and the variants mentioned above.

Some variants of the Quain surname can also be found outside Ireland, primarily in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, where the original surname was Anglicized with additional suffixes such as "-ey" (for example, Cane-ey).

It should be noted that, although the surname may appear with multiple spellings, all forms most likely derive from the original Irish "O Caoin" source.

Famous people with the name Quain

• Robert Quain: an Irish-born footballer who played for Scotland in the 1870s and 1880s.
• Gilbert Quain: an English zoologist and professor of Physiology and Natural History at the University of Dublin.
• Clare Quain: the first woman to win the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007.
• Michael Quain: a Canadian curler and Olympic champ who competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
• Craig Quain: a British actor who has starred in shows such as "EastEnders", "Midsomer Murders" and "Doctor Who".
• James Quain: an Australian doctor, educator and author.
• John Quain: a British-born engineer who invent the electric guitar and the synthesiser.
• Patrick Quain: a former Irish politician and founder of the Fianna Fáil political party.
• Augustus Quain: a former President of Ireland (1973-1976).
• Dan Quain: a Canadian-American hockey player who played in the WHA and NHL.

Other surnames

Quaid