Surname McNutt - Meaning and Origin

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L. McNutt

McNutt: What does the surname McNutt mean?

McNutt is a surname of Scottish and Irish origin. It's an anglicized form of the Gaelic name 'MacCnaimhtin', which is composed of the elements 'Mac' meaning 'son of', and 'Cnaimhtin', a personal name of uncertain meaning. This suggests that McNutt originally denoted 'son of Cnaimhtin'. Many Irish and Scottish surnames, including McNutt, began as patronyms to identify a son separately from his father or a grandson from his grandfather. Such names were made by adding a prefix such as 'Mac' (meaning 'son of') or 'Ó' (grandson of) to the name of the father or grandfather. Over time, these surnamed developed into fixed family names that are passed down through generations. Today, people bearing this surname are found predominantly in the United States and the United Kingdom. However, like many surnames, the exact meaning and history of the name McNutt can vary among families.

McNutt: Where does the name McNutt come from?

The surname McNutt is of Scottish origin. It originated from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands, and it is derived from the Gaelic personal name Neachtan. McNutt is an anglicized form of the surname MacNeachdainn, which means "son of Neachtan." It has been recorded in various forms throughout history including MacNaghten, MacNaghtan, MacNachten, and others. The clan's later history includes an association with the greater Clan MacDonald and the Clan Campbell.

Today, the surname McNutt is most commonly found in the United States, particularly within regions with a high population of individuals with Scottish or Irish heritage. It also remains prevalent within Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, the McNutt name has spread throughout English-speaking countries worldwide due to migration, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Although it is not a very common surname, it has had notable bearers such as American entrepreneur Albert E. McNutt and Canadian politician Allan McNutt.

Like many surnames, the frequency of McNutt varies worldwide, and it may be far more common in some countries or regions than in others. Nevertheless, the McNutt name continues to maintain its strong links to its Scottish origins.

Variations of the surname McNutt

The surname McNutt is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Naoi, pronounced as Mac Neacht, then anglicized to McNutt. It has several recorded spellings, variants, and similar surnames that might have the same origin, these include MacNutt, McNitt, MacNitt, McNaught, MacNaught, McNaughton, MacNaughton, McNault, MacNault, McNut, and MacNut.

Many of these variant forms would have originated due to a lack of standardized spelling in early historical periods, and also due to subsequent modifications when the name was translated into English. The pronunciation, regional dialects, and the transcription of the name by English-speaking church officials or census takers also significantly influenced the original Scottish name's spelling.

It's also worth noting that although these surnames have similar spellings and possibly shared origins, any differences might indicate branching family lines or could be indicative of different initial ancestors. Therefore, while the spellings might be similar, this does not necessarily confirm a direct lineage or genetic connection.

In genealogy research, looking for these variants can help expand their search and locate more potential ancestors. However, they would need to verify any found connections through further research and documentation.

Famous people with the name McNutt

• Alexander McNutt: He was a major figure in the American Revolutionary War, leading various military battalions and playing a key role in the Siege of Yorktown.
• David F. McNutt: He was a United States Air Force major general.
• Doug McNutt: He is a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs.
• Mary Lee McNutt: She is a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Vanderbilt University.
• Neil McNutt: He is a former Major League Baseball player, having been a pitcher for the Houston Astros.
• Paul McNutt: He was the 22nd Governor of Indiana and a United States Congressman from Indiana.
• Scott McNutt: He is a former professional ice hockey player who spent his entire playing career in the National Hockey League.
• William B. McNutt: He was a United States Navy officer who served as the 22nd President of the Naval War College.
• William McNutt: He was an American architect from in Philadelphia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• William T. McNutt: He was a United State Marine Corps brigadier general who was involved in the Battle of Guam.

Other surnames

McNutley