Surname McQueine - Meaning and Origin
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McQueine: What does the surname McQueine mean?
The last name McQueine is a form of the ancient Gaelic surname MacDhuinnshléibhe, which translates to "son of Dunsleve". This surname is thought to originate from Connacht, Ireland. In this region, the surname was generally found around the MacWilliam (Baronet) estates of Thomastown and Doughgallon, in what is now Co. Mayo. The McQueine clan were a sept of the prominent MacWilliam Burke (Clanricarde) family, although the exact relationship is unknown.
The meaning of this name originates from two Gaelic words, 'mac' meaning 'son of' and 'Dhuinnshléibhe' meaning 'Dunsleve'. This was a personal name which quite probably gave the clan its name. It is derived from the Gaelic words 'dun', meaning 'fort' and 'sléibhe', meaning 'mountain'. It is possible that this was referencing a mountain fort, which if so, could give us an indication of where the MacDhuinnshléibhe clan originated from.
The MacDhuinnshléibhe clan were founding members of The Sligo Gaelic Military Games, giving us an indication of their level of respect and power in the region during the 15th century. They were also closely linked with the O Mullally clan (also spelled O'Malley), a powerful force in Connacht at the time.
As a result of a series of historic events including the Irish plantations, the spelling of the McQueine name may have been altered over the years. This is typically done as a result of Gaelic names being anglicized during the Anglo/Norman invasions. It could be assumed that the original spelling of the name was still in use during the 19th century as there are records of people with the McQueine name living in Mayo and Galway at the time.
Overall, researching the origin of the last name McQueine could lead to a deeper understanding of the clan's history and heritage. It is likely that the family's original name was MacDhuinnshléibhe and they may have originated from a mountain fort. Additionally, they were founding members of the Sligo Gaelic Military Games and had close ties to the powerful O Mullally family.
Order DNA origin analysisMcQueine: Where does the name McQueine come from?
The surname McQueine is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Cuinn, meaning "son of Conn." The surname, like many others of Irish and Scottish origin, would initially have been a patronymic surname, meaning it denoted where a person came from or who their ancestors were. Over time, these surnames became hereditary and passed down from generation to generation. Variations of the name have included MacQueen, MacQueon, MacSween, MacSwene, MacSwan and many more.
The name would likely have been more common in Scotland and Ireland in the past, but today, due to migration and diaspora, descendants carrying this surname can be found around the world, particularly in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, due to its fairly rare occurrence, it is not considered common in any specific present-day region or country.
Variations of the surname McQueine
The surname McQueine is of Scottish origin and various versions and spelling alternates of this name can be found, deriving from different regions and dialects of Scotland.
Prominent spelling variations of McQueine can include McQueen, McQuinn, MacQueen, MacQueine, MacQuin, McQuin, MacQuin, MacCuin, MacCone, MacCune, MacQuone, MacCuen, and even MacSwen. Some people from the same lineage may drop the "Mc" or "Mac" and simplify it to just 'Queen' or 'Quinn'. Others may replace "Mc" with "Mack".
The prefixes "Mc" and "Mac" both mean 'son of' in Gaelic, thus signifying lineage or ancestry. Therefore, the name McQueine could potentially refer to 'son of Queine', with Queine itself being a personal name.
Some related surnames that may share the same root, and thus the same or similar meanings, could include McQuillin, Quin, Quinn, McQuillan, and McQuiston. It's important to note that variations in spelling of the same original surname can be attributed to a branch of the family spelling it differently, errors in transcription, or changes in language over time.
Famous people with the name McQueine
- Alan McQueine: British author and museum curator specializing in Asian cultures.
- Colleen McQueine: Australian artist and illustrator.
- Duncan McQueine: Former professional soccer player and leader of advocacy organization Her Way.
- Eric McQueine: Canadian comedian and actor.
- J.T. McQueine: American film producer and actor.
- Pat McQueine: Retired racing driver from the United States.
- Robert McQueine: Former Irish Prime Minister.
- Scott McQueine: American comic artist and animator.
- Sean McQueine: English actor and singer.
- Tiffany McQueine: American television and radio personality.