Surname McCunn - Meaning and Origin

McCunn: What does the surname McCunn mean?

The last name McCunn is of Scottish or Irish origin, and is derived from the Gaelic MacShionnaigh, which translates to “son of a hound” or “son of a fox.” It is an old name, though not found widely throughout Ireland or Scotland today, with the Irish variant being McCormick.

In some cases, the name may have been derived from the Gaelic Mac Cionaodha, meaning “son of the wolf-like one”, though this is much less common. The name is recorded as early as the 15th century in records of Scottish clans, being predominantly associated with the Clan MacNaughton.

The surname may have been adopted by families as a way of indicating their status, as the use of a hound as a symbol of power and stature implied nobility. Additionally, a fox carries connotations of cunning in the name, suggesting intelligence or wit, and would also be seen as a symbol of strength. The meaning of the name often reflects the character of the person for whom it was given, and many with a McCunn surname may take pride in its history.

McCunn: Where does the name McCunn come from?

The last name McCunn is most commonly found in Scotland, with many families who trace their ancestry back hundreds of years in the area. It is also found in Ireland, where families of Irish descent have lived since early times, and in the United States, where many families of Scottish descent settled over the past two centuries.

The most common areas in Scotland where the name McCunn is found are in the counties of Perthshire and Angus, especially in the north east of the country. It is likely that the family originated from this area, and gradually spread throughout Scotland and beyond.

In Ireland, McCunn is found mostly in the counties of Cork, Donegal, and Meath. Many of the families there are descended from Scots who relocated to Ireland during the Potato Famine or in the centuries before that.

In the United States, the last name can also be found in many areas, especially in the states of New York and Pennsylvania, which have large numbers of immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. This is particularly true of cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York City, all of which have significant populations of Scots and Irish descent.

Today, the last name McCunn is widespread throughout Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, hinting at the many distant family ties of these three nations. It is likely that many individuals throughout the world today are connected to the same ancestral roots that began in Scotland centuries ago.

Variations of the surname McCunn

The surname McCunn is derived from a Gaelic origin meaning ‘son of a hound’ or ‘son of Con’. The variations, spellings and surnames associated with this name are varied across different countries, but some of the most commonly used ones are: MacCon, MacCunn, MacCune, MacQuinn, MacKune, and McQuinn.

In Ireland and Scotland, the most popular variations are the MacCon and MacCunn and these are predominantly used in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The MacQuinn variant is also becoming more prominent in Scotland, but it is more commonly used in the south of Ireland. In the United States, the spelling MacKune is the most common variant.

The MacCune and McQuinn surnames are also popular in the United Kingdom. MacCrain, McCone, MacCavish, MacCauley, and MacAnny are all variations that are commonly seen throughout the United Kingdom.

The differences between these surnames, and their variants, come down to regional influences and how different names were used in different parts of the world. McCunn is a surname with a long history, and in recent years the variations of MacCon, MacCunn, MacCune, MacQuinn, and MacKune, have all become much more widespread across different countries.

Famous people with the name McCunn

• Craig McCunn: actor, best known for his role in the British television series Miss Marple.
• Gordon McCunn: Scottish writer, playwright, and actor.
• Thomas McCunn: Canadian politician who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1971 to 1975.
• Hugh McCunn: Canadian geologist who was involved in the mapping of northern Canada.
• John Mcunn: Australian soccer player who represented Australia in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
• Angus McCunn: Scottish soccer player who played for Celtic, Motherwell, Heart of Midlothian, and East Fife during the 1920s and 1930s.
• Mohammad McCunn: musician in the band Wonderlush, best known for their song "Runnin' in the Wind."
• Alice McCunn: Scottish folk singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
• Louise McCunn: Australian actress, best known for her role as Bernie in the television series Tangle.
• Moira McCunn: British poet who was the first woman to win the Hawthornden Prize in 1941.

Other surnames

McCune