Surname MacKiggins - Meaning and Origin
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MacKiggins: What does the surname MacKiggins mean?
The last name MacKiggins is an Anglicized form of the Scottish surname MacAonghais, which is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Aonghuis, which translates to “son of Angus”. Angus is an ancient name of uncertain meaning, but may be related to the Celtic word for “choicest, finest”, or may be derived from the Latin name “Angustus”, meaning “narrow”. The MacKiggins surname could then be translated as “son of the finest/narrow one”.
The MacKiggins surname likely originated in the region of Galloway in Scotland, which saw numerous clans and families living there at the time. The surname was most likely created in order to differentiate between different families who had the same given name.
The MacKiggins surname often occurs in the Scottish Lowlands, as well as parts of Ireland. In some regions, it is seen as interchangeable with Mackinnon, another Scottish surname of similar origin.
MacKiggins families have contributed to a wide range of fields. In modern times, they are found in medicine, engineering, military service, the arts, and various other disciplines. They are known for their intelligence, capacity for hard work, and strong ability to adapt and survive through times of change.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKiggins: Where does the name MacKiggins come from?
The last name MacKiggins is predominantly found in Ireland. Its ancestral home is in Dingle, County Kerry, in the southwestern part of the country. MacKiggins is also common in Scotland, with more than 1450 people there today who share the name.
The name's roots are ancient and Gaelic. It derives from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic Mag Uiginn, which means "son of Uiginn" or "son of Norseman." The name is associated with Hiberno-Norse settlers in the Middle Ages.
In the United States, the MacKiggins surname has become more widely dispersed and is found in most states. Online searchable databases reveal that roughly 4,000 people with the surname MacKigginsare now living in the U.S. The highest concentrations are in Decatur, Illinois; East Orange, New Jersey; and San Antonio, Texas. In Canada, the name is most common in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.
Given that it is an Irish name, MacKiggins is still closely associated with the Irish and Irish culture. Indeed, many of the people with the name are likely descendants of Irish immigrants.
Variations of the surname MacKiggins
MacKiggins is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic MacAoidh Gigs, also spelled MacKeggans, MacKegans, MacKiggan, MacKiggin, MacKiggin, MacKeggin, MacKegan and MacKinnan. It is a patronymic name derived from the Gaelic given name Aodh, which means 'fire’.
The variants appear to originate from the earlier Gaelic forms. MacKiggins is the most common version of the surname in modern times, with the other variants now found in mainly the East coast of Scotland and in Northern Ireland.
The spelling of MacKiggins could be misspelled as MacKiggan, MacKiggin, MacKiggen, MacKegans and MacKigns, with the final ‘s’ being added in or dropped from the ending as it has been passed down from generation to generation.
The more frequent related surnames are MacEvoy, McEvoy, McKeegan, McKegans, McKee, McKiegan, MacEvoy, Gigg, Giggs, Goggin, Goggan and Coggan.
The coat of arms of MacKiggins is a light blue shield decorated with a gold chevron and a gold escallop shell. The motto on the shield reads "Fortiter et Fideliter," which translates to “Boldly and Faithfully”.
The earliest known record of the surname MacKiggins is in the parish records of Perth in Scotland, dating back to 1581. This information predates the year 1647, which is when several members of the MacKiggins clan emigrated to the Ulster Province of Ireland.
The legacy of the MacKiggins appears to survive in Ireland, where to this day people still carry the Gaelic form of the surname. There are a few MacKiggins in the US today, as well as a few living in the UK, but it appears to be a much less common surname.
Famous people with the name MacKiggins
- Carson Mackiggins: musician and actor best known for appearing on NBC's show Bringing Up Bobby.
- Chris Mackiggins: former professional American football player who was a defensive back for the New York Giants during the early 1980s.
- Jamie Mackiggins: British actor and musician known for his roles in the television shows Hollyoaks and Emmerdale. 4.Scott Mackiggins: American filmmaker and photographer.
- Truman Mackiggins: former major league baseball player who played catcher for several teams during the 1960s and 1970s.
- April Mackiggins: Australian writer and poet.
- John Mackiggins: Irish folk singer and composer.
- Joseph Mackiggins: English classical composer and opera conductor.
- Ava Mackiggins: American artist and sculptor.
- Gretchen Mackiggins: Canadian actress who starred in the TV series 21 Jump Street.
- Sean Mackiggins: British television presenter and producer.
- Carmen Mackiggins: Spanish stage and film actor.
- Jack Mackiggins: Australian author and lawyer.
- Mia Mackiggins: American singer and songwriter.
- Emily Mackiggins: British professional ice hockey player.
- Tara Mackiggins: American model and actress.
- Gilbert Mackiggins: Canadian stand-up comedian and actor.
- Robert Mackiggins: American jazz musician and composer.
- Thomas Mackiggins: American stage and screen actor.
- Graham Mackiggins: British diplomat and ambassador.