Surname MacKieran - Meaning and Origin
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MacKieran: What does the surname MacKieran mean?
The last name MacKieran is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Kieran, and is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Íomhair. The roots of the surname MacKieran come from the Irish village of Munterkirrin (now Moyvore) in County Westmeath. Its meaning is derived from the old Gaelic form of "Áed mac Íomhair", which translates to "fire grandson". This likely reflects a family line with an ancestor that was associated with fire, either through their occupation or their character.
The popularity of the surname in the 16th century had led to three distinct families having the surname MacKieran: the MacKierans of Fermanagh, the MacKierans of Armagh, and the MacKierans of Derry.
The MacKierans of Fermanagh were renowned for their loyalty and their bravery in service to the lords of Fermanagh. They were active in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and many bore the surname until the mid 19th century.
The MacKierans of Armagh were related to the MacKierans of Fermanagh and gave their services to the Church of Ireland. They were known for their piety and contributed to the foundation of multiple churches in the region.
The MacKierans of Derry were descendants of the family of General Cahir O'Doherty O'Hara, who was the leader of the last great Irish rebellion in 1608. His descendants, the MacKierans of Derry, were active in the twentieth-century Irish independence movement.
Today, the surname MacKieran is found mainly in County Fermanagh, as well as in other parts of Ireland and abroad. Those with the surname can be proud of their Irish ancestry and the honorable and courageous service provided by their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKieran: Where does the name MacKieran come from?
The last name MacKieran is most commonly believed to have originated in the Scottish Highlands. The name is derived from the ancient Gaelic personal name Mac Giolla’aire (meaning “son of Giolla’aire”). It is also found in Ireland, especially in Ulster.
Today, the last name MacKieran is common in both Scotland and Ireland. In Scotland, the name is most common in the Highlands, while in Ireland it is particularly frequent in the counties of Donegal, Tyrone, Derry, and Limerick. Soberly pointed out in an earlier paper, it is likely that the name has spread from the north of the country to the south.
The name has also been adopted by descendants of Scottish-Irish immigrants to America, Australia, and other countries. A few MacKieran families can be found in Canada and New Zealand.
Lastly, the name remains very concentrated in both Scotland and Ireland. In Scotland, the majority of the population bearing the name live in the surrounding area of Inverurie, while in Ireland the name is particularly concentrated in the counties of Donegal and Tyrone. This is a testament to the strong sense of identity the MacKierans have with their homelands.
Variations of the surname MacKieran
The surname MacKieran is derived from the Irish Gaelic Mac Fhiachra, meaning ‘son of Fiachra’. This in turn originates from a Celtic deity known as Fiachra, one of the sons of the Tuatha de Danann. Associated with the ancient Irish province of Leinster, the MacKieran surname can variate in many ways, providing a wide range of phonetic spellings and similar-sounding surnames.
The most common spellings of the surname are MacKieran, MacKiernan, MacKeran, MacKernan, and McKiernan. These spellings change depending on the country and the most common locality. Other common variants of the name include Kiernan, Kieran, Keirnan, Keiran, Kernan, Keran, Kiaran and Keirnan.
The surname MacKieran also has a number of associated variants or surnames of Irish origin which can be traced back to the same Mac Fhiachra origin. These include MacKieron, MacKirwan, MacQuieran, MacCieran, MacPieran, and Eichron.
Additionally, it is believed that the surname MacKieran is linked to a number of Scottish surnames such as Corson, Curran, and Curley, as well as with the surname Kuredjian, which originated in Armenia.
To sum up, the surname MacKieran, and its rich variety of spellings and variations, has a deep and interesting connection with Irish and Celtic history. This historical heritage and influence can be traced through the numerous spellings, surnames, and variants associated with the same origin.
Famous people with the name MacKieran
- Shana MacKiernan, Canadian synchronized swimmer
- Shaun MacKiernan, Irish hurler
- Teresa MacKiernan, Irish cricketer
- Graham Mackieran, Australian footballer
- Tommy MacKiernan, Irish Gaelic footballer
- William Mackiernan, American artist
- Alexander MacKiernan, British soldier
- Sarah MacKiernan, American actress
- Maureen Mackiernan, American football executive
- John MacKiernan, rugby union and rugby league player 11.Terrence MacKiernan, American art historian 12.Emma MacKiernan, Australian rower 13.Abigail MacKiernan, Australian netball player 14.Carole Mackiernan, American actress 15.Eamonn Mackiernan, Irish politician 16.Liam MacKiernan, Irish cricketer 17.Sean MacKiernan, American screenwriter 18.Harold MacKiernan, Irish hurler 19.Nicole MacKiernan, Irish television presenter 20.Barry Mackiernan, Irish footballer