Surname Guinan - Meaning and Origin
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Guinan: What does the surname Guinan mean?
The surname Guinan is an Irish patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic Irish name O hEignigh which is an Anglicized version of the Irish spelling 'Ó hÁghna'. The surname is derived from the Irish word 'aighneach', which itself comes from the Old Irish word for 'noble' or 'courageous'. The literal translation of the name Guinan therefore is 'descendant of the noble one'.
The surname Guinan is most commonly found in the Munster region of Ireland. It is most populous in Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, and Waterford counties. The family is further recorded in the Irish Annals as having been of Breifne/Brigantes descent and part of the Tribes of Tara, the highest ruling family of ancient Ireland.
Though the surname is mostly Irish, there are variations of the name in other counties, including Ginos, Gynne, Gwyne, Gwenan, and Gwinan. The Guinan spelling is the most common spelling of the name and further indicates the Clan's Irish origin.
Today, the surname is most commonly associated with entertainers such as the iconic comedian, actor, and vaudevillian, Pat Guinan (1900-1955). It can also be found in various parts of the United States, as the family spread from Ireland to many places across the globe.
Order DNA origin analysisGuinan: Where does the name Guinan come from?
Guinan is most commonly found in the United States today. It is a surname of Irish origin with roots primarily in County Clare, which is located on the west coast of Ireland. The name was primarily found in the south-western region of Conor where many Irish immigrated during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The greatest concentration of the family name is found in the New England states such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, and also in the mid-Atlantic region, including New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. In recent decades, the name has spread to other parts of the country, including the West Coast and Midwest.
The Guinan name is also present in Canada, and other English-speaking countries, such as Australia and Great Britain. It is also found in a few European countries, such as France, Italy and Spain. The name is derived from the Gaelic words "Guinneaghan," which translates to "white hound," possibly referring to the common practice of using white dogs as heralds.
In general, people with the name Guinan tend to place high value on their Irish heritage and are protective of their family connections. Many have also described the Guinan name with sentiments of a bond to keeping with old memories and with the desire to maintain an old world charm.
Variations of the surname Guinan
The surname Guinan is most commonly thought to have originated in Ireland. There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The variants of Guinan mainly include Gaughen, Gaughan, Gawn, and Gawne, all which are thought to have descended from the same base Irish surname of Guinness. The surname Gaughan likely has an English origin, de derive from the Gaelic name "MacCathmhaoil," meaning "son of the noble battle."
The surname Gawne has a northern Irish origin, thought to be derived from the old Irish name Mac Mathghamhna which is composed of the elements mathghamh, meaning "bear" and the diminutive form maol, which was possibly shortened from the word maoltaran meaning "manlet". This could be denoting that the original bearer of this surname was a small or young man with great strength.
Other variants of the surname Guinan include Mac Guinness, MacGuinness, and MacGinnis, all derived from the traditional Irish personal name Conobar, or "Hound of the Sea". This was likely an Irish chieftan's name with references to the sea and coastlines of Ireland.
The surnames Gawne and Gaughen are both believed to have originated in Cumbria, England, with Gaughen evolving from the ancient Norse personal name Gabhrán which translates to "raven". Another spelling variant is Gaughan, which may have been derived from the Gaelic forename ‘Mag Cathmhaoil’, meaning ‘son of the noble warrior’.
In summary, the surname Guinan has many variant spellings and surnames of the same origin including Gaughen, Gaughan, Gawn, Gawne, Mac Guinness, MacGuinness, MacGinnis, MagCathmhaoil, Gabhrán, and Mac Mathghamhna. Many of these spellings are thought to have originated in Ireland, while some are thought to have descended from ancient Norse and Gaelic names.
Famous people with the name Guinan
- Mary Kay Place (born Mary Kay Guinan): American actress, singer, and composer.
- Richard Guinan: American television writer.
- Kenneth Guinan: American screenwriter, producer and director.
- Terry Guinan: American musical composer and Broadway actor.
- Tom Guinan: American stage actor.
- David Guinan: American jazz percussionist.
- Edward Thomas Guinan: American bibliographer.
- Patrick Guinan: American sports medicine doctor.
- Joseph Guinan: British merchant navy sailor.
- Sarah Guinan: Irish athlete and gold medal winner.
- Tim Guinan: American college baseball coach.
- Stephen Guinan: American college football coach.
- Anthony Guinan: American guitarist and bassist.
- John Guinan: Irish opera composer.
- Ethne Guinan: Irish mezzo-soprano singer.
- Vincent Guinan: American composer and conductor.
- Dave Guinan: Irish stage actor.
- Johnny Guinan: Irish presenter and broadcaster.
- Brian Guinan: Irish stage actor.
- Genevieve Guinan: American percussionist and composer.