Surname MacOwain - Meaning and Origin

MacOwain: What does the surname MacOwain mean?

The last name MacOwain is believed to be of Scottish and Northern Irish origin. The MacOwain name is derived from the Gaelic personal name Mac Eoghain, which is translated to mean "son of Eoghan." This personal name is composed of two elements: "Mac," which means "son of," and "Eoghan," a variant of Eogan which is an old Celtic name deriving from the Latin Eugenius, meaning "noble born".

The MacOwain clan is believed to have originated in Scotland and is associated with the Kingdom of Fife, where the Galbraith family had an estate near Colinsburgh. The clan moved to County Donegal, Northern Ireland, in the 1500s and eventually to County Tyrone. In the 1800s, some members of the MacOwains migrated to the United States and Canada, with the majority settling in Cleveland, Ohio, or Edmonton, Alberta.

The MacOwains are a proud, traditional family and have maintained their cultural identity and sense of belonging over the centuries. The family's proud sense of tradition is reflected in their deep commitment to philanthropy and philanthropic activities, as well as their love for the traditional Gaelic language, Irish music, and dancing. Today, MacOwains are found all over the world, and many proudly trace their heritage back to the ancient ancestors of Scotland and Ireland.

MacOwain: Where does the name MacOwain come from?

The surname MacOwain is a surname found primarily in Scotland. It is an anglicized version of the Gaelic Mac Eoghain, which translates to "son of Eoghain".

The origins of the name MacOwain likely goes back centuries to the Middle Ages in Scotland, and the powerful Clan Ewen, Lords of Otter in Argyll and Bute. The Clan Ewen is part of the larger Clan Donald, the Chiefs of Clan Donald, MacDonnells of Keppoch.

Today, the name MacOwain can still be found in Scotland, primarily in Argyll and Bute, as well as in other areas of Scotland, such as Ayrshire. In addition, the name is common in Northern Ireland, largely due to the events of the Plantation of Ulster in the early 1600s.

The name MacOwain is found in many different spellings today, including MacEwan, MacEwen, MacOwan, MacOwen, MacOwain, and MacOwane. In terms of the frequency of the name, MacOwain and MacOwen are the two most common variants in terms of today’s frequency. Today, there are currently over 1,000 people with the name MacOwain in Scotland, and over 400 with the name MacOwen.

In the United States and Canada, the name MacOwain is not particularly common. It is found, of course, among those with Scottish ancestry who have emigrated to the two countries, but it is not as common as other Scottish surnames.

Overall, the surname MacOwain is still most commonly found in Scotland and Northern Ireland, although it is also found in the United States and Canada among those with Scottish ancestry. With over 1,000 people in Scotland alone bearing the name, the surname is certainly far from extinct.

Variations of the surname MacOwain

The MacOwain surname can be spelt in a variety of ways. Depending on its origin, the MacOwain surname can be spelt MacOwen, MacOwan and MacEwen. In some countries and regions, the surname may also be spelt MacEwan, MacEwin, and MacKewan.

The MacOwain surname is most common in Scotland and Ireland and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Eoghain. In Ireland, there are several spelling variations of the MacOwain surname, including MacEwen, McOwen, McKeown and McEwin. In Scotland, some names may also be spelt MacEwan, MacEwin and MacKewan.

The MacOwain surname is a patronymic. This means that it is derived from a male ancestor. The prefix ‘Mac’ or ‘Mc’ indicates “son of” and the suffix ‘-ain’ or ‘-ein’ means ‘little’. The original form of the surname is therefore the ‘son of Eoghain’. It is believed that the MacOwain surname was first used by the clan Ewen, which was a branch of the MacDonalds.

The MacOwain surname is also spelled with the spelling variants Macowen, Macowan, Macowin and Mackewin. Sometimes the surname is also spelt without the ‘Mac’ or ‘Mc’ prefix, as Owain, Ewen, Ewin and Keown. There may also be other surnames derived from MacOwain, such as MacGoven, MacGoin, MacGowan, MacGown, MacGouin and MacKeon.

The MacOwain surname is not only found in Scotland and Ireland. It can also be found in other countries, including England, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. While the meaning and origin of the name is the same, depending on the country and region, the spelling of the surname may differ.

Famous people with the name MacOwain

• Breanna MacOwain: She is an actress who has performed in movies such as Falcon Ridge and TV shows such as Happy Together.
• Pat MacOwain: He is an award-winning country music singer-songwriter.
• Gavin MacOwain: He is a Scottish actor who has appeared in films such as Emma and TV shows such as Stargate: Universe.
• Stephanie MacOwain: She is a country music singer-songwriter and vocal coach.
• Cameron MacOwain: Canadian actor who is best known for his roles in the films Citizen Duane and Backcountry.
• Imogene MacOwain: She is an Academic Vice President who has been recognized as a Global Faculty Ambassador.
• Eoin MacOwain: He is an Irish actor who has appeared in theater performances and TV shows such as The Tudors.
• Leo MacOwain: He is a celebrity chef and restaurateur who has opened multiple upscale eateries.
• Jade MacOwain: British author who has published multiple works related to history, culture, and feminism.
• Keiran MacOwain: British athlete and sports commentator who has appeared on shows such as the BBC's Sportsrage.

Other surnames

MacOwan