McCunn is a surname, originating in Scotland but now widespread in many countries across the world.

Origins of the name

The surname is probably a variant of ' McCune', the Anglicised form of ' MacEoghainn'. The personal name ' Eoghain' is a Gaelic form of the Latin '

Eugenius Eugenius (died 6 September 394) was a usurper in the Western Roman Empire (392–394) against Emperor Theodosius I. While Christian himself, Eugenius capitalized on the discontent in the West caused by Theodosius' religious policies targeting p ...

', meaning 'noble', borne by a third-century bishop and martyr. Another theory suggests McCunn as a variant of '

McKeown McKeown and MacKeown are Irish surnames originating both from the Irish '' Mac Eoghain'' ("Son of Eoghan") and '' Mac Eoin'' ("Son of Eoin"), which are pronounced identically: /mək ˈow ən/ or "McOwen". The surnames are associated with the Mac ...

', which comes from the Celtic ' Mac Eoin' ('

Eoin Eoin (, or ) is an Irish name. The Scottish Gaelic equivalent is () and both are closely related to the Welsh . It is also cognate with the Irish . In the Irish language, it is the name used for all Biblical figures known as ''John'' in Engli ...

' being the Irish form of John).

Family history

The first recorded bearer of the name was Gilcrist McKwnne, circa 1370, in the Calendar of the Laing Charters during the reign of King David II of Scotland. The surname was introduced to

Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United King ...

by Scottish settlers during the plantation of the province and later many McCunns emigrated during the Great Famine of Ireland. Since then, the McCunn family has spread throughout the world particularly to

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

Notable McCunns

Hamish MacCunn Hamish MacCunn, ''né'' James MacCunn (22 March 18682 August 1916) was a Scottish composer, conductor and teacher. He was one of the first students of the newly-founded Royal College of Music in London, and quickly made a mark. As a composer he ...

, Scottish composer of ''The Land of the Mountain and the Flood'' * Ruthanne Lum McCunn, Eurasian author of ''Thousand Pieces of Gold'' *

John McCunn John H. McCunn (November 2, 1820 – July 6, 1872) was born Burnally, Limavady, County Londonderry, Ireland on 2 November 1820 son of William McCunn and Martha attyMcKinley.Ballykelly Church of Ireland baptisms, Co Londonderry He belonged to ...

, corrupt New York judge and member of the infamous Tweed Ring * Dickson McCunn, fictitious character in

John Buchan John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir (; 26 August 1875 – 11 February 1940) was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation. After a brief legal career ...

's novels '' Huntingtower'' and '' The Adventures of Dickson McCunn'' *

Carl McCunn Carl McCunn (January 25, 1947 – December 18, 1981) was an American wildlife photography, wildlife photographer who became stranded in the Alaskan wilderness and eventually died by suicide when he ran out of supplies. Early life and education Mc ...

, wildlife photographer * Thomas McCunn, the longest serving lifeboat at Longhope with over 300 lives saved

Origins of the name

Family history

Notable McCunns

See also