Nevin (surname)

The surname Nevin has several origins.

Etymology

In some cases, ''Nevin'' derived from the Irish ''Mac Cnáimhín'', meaning "son of Cnámhín". In other cases, the surname is derived from the Irish ''Ó Cnáimhín'', meaning "descendant of Cnámhín". The personal name ''Cnámhín'', meaning "little bone", from the Irish ''cnámh'' ("bone"), is derived from a byname referring to a thin man.

In other cases, ''Nevin'' is derived from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic ''Mac Naoimhín'', a patronymic form of a personal name derived from a diminutive of ''naomh'' ("holy, saint"). The surname ''Nevin'' can also be derived from the Scottish Gaelic ''Naomhín'', meaning "little saint", commonly Latinised as ''Nevinus''.

Early bearers of forms of the surname ''Mac Cnáimhín'' include: Aithius mac Mic Cnaimhín, in 1159; Donell oge McCnauyne, and Donell begg McCnavin, in 1583; and Dorghan Macknavin, in 1585. Early bearers of forms of the surname ''Ó Cnáimhín'' include: Cornelius O'Knavin, in 1574; and Owen O'Knavine, in 1601. Early bearers of forms of the surname ''Mac Naoimhín'' include: Thomas filius Neuini, in 1295; Thomas Maknevin, in 1528; Thomas Nevin, in 1538.

One particular family that has borne the surname ''Mac Cnáimhín'' was a literary and medical kindred of Uí Maine, first recorded in 1159. Whilst the surname ''Mac Cnáimhín'' is associated with Galway, the surname ''Mac Naoimhín'' is associated with Leinster, and Argyll, and the surname ''Ó Cnáimhín'' is associated with Munster.

In 1881, in Britain, the surname ''Nevin'' was most common in Lancashire. In 1847–1864, in Ireland, the surname ''Nevin'' was most common in Galway. Between John Joe Nevin, David Nevin, Luke Nevin, Timothy Nevin, Daniel Nevin and others, there have been bare-knuckle boxers called Nevin among the traveler community since Victorian times. Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942.

Notable people with the surname Nevin

* Arthur Nevin (1871–1943), American composer
* Blanche Nevin (1841–1925), American artist and poet
* Bob Nevin (born 1938), Canadian hockey player
* Brooke Nevin (born 1982), Canadian actress
* Edwin Nevin (1814–1889), American educator
* Ethelbert Nevin (1862–1901), American pianist and composer
* George Balch Nevin (1859–1933), American composer and businessman
* George Niven (1929–2008), Scottish football player
* Gordon Balch Nevin (1892–1943), American musician
* John Niven, Scottish writer
* Johnny Nevin, Irish football player and hurler
* John Joe Nevin (born 1988), Irish boxer
* John Williamson Nevin (1803–1886), American theologian and educationalist
* Kate Nevin (died 1715), Scotswoman burnt as a witch
* Liam Nevin (born 1951), Irish writer
* Pat Nevin (born 1963), Scottish football player
* Phil Nevin (born 1971), American baseball player
* Robyn Nevin (born 1942), Australian actress
* Shannon Nevin (born 1976), Australian rugby football player
* Thomas Edwin Nevin (1906–1986), Irish physicist and academic
* Tom Nevin (1916–1972), Australian rugby player
* Tyler Nevin (born 1997), American baseball player

Notes

Citations

References

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nevin (surname)
Anglicised Irish-language surnames
Anglicised Scottish Gaelic-language surnames
Irish families
Scottish surnames
Surnames of Irish origin
Surnames of Scottish origin