Surname McCann - Meaning and Origin

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B. McCann

McCann: What does the surname McCann mean?

The last name McCann is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cana," which means "son of Cana." The personal name Cana is derived from the Gaelic term "cano," meaning "wolf cub." Therefore, the last name McCann can be interpreted as "son of the wolf cub." This surname is prevalent in the province of Ulster, especially in County Tyrone and Antrim. It is also found in Scotland due to historic migrations and connections between Scotland and Ireland. Like many Irish last names, the use of McCann became widespread during the 17th century as English laws required Irish people to adopt fixed surnames. The name's variations include MacCann, O'Cann, McCan, and others. Traditionally, the predominantly used spelling is "Mac Cana," while "McCann" is an Anglicized version.

McCann: Where does the name McCann come from?

The surname McCann is of Gaelic origin, deriving from the Irish name "Mac Cana," which translates to "son of Cana." The name Cana is believed to be a diminutive of "cano" meaning wolf cub. This surname originates from the ancient territory of Clann Breasail, which is located in the modern county of Armagh in Northern Ireland. It was associated with a powerful family who played a key role in early Irish history.

Today, the name is common in Ireland, particularly in Northern Ireland where it initially originated from. However, due to emigration over the centuries, this name can also be frequently encountered in various other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. Despite this dispersion, the highest concentration of McCanns is still found in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Variations of the surname McCann

The surname McCann has different variants and spellings as a result of its Gaelic origins and its translation into English. The original Gaelic form of the name is Mac Cana, which translates to "son of Cana".

Variations of the surname include: MacCann, M'Cann, Mac Cana, M'Can, McCanna, McCanny, McCan, MacCanna, and MacCanny.

Although less common, there are also instances where the surname has been anglicized to other forms such as Cannon or Canney due to its phonetic similarities.

Furthermore, due to the way immigration records have been kept in various countries (particularly the United States, Canada, and Australia), many people with the surname McCann may also be found under completely misspelled names.

Lastly, these surnames' origins are usually concentrated in the regions of Ulster and Connacht in Ireland, where many McCann families originally held a family seat as Lords and Chiefs.

Famous people with the name McCann

• Sean McCann: Canadian actor, singer, and songwriter, known for his award-winning performance in the Canadian television series The Red Green Show and for his role in the hit movie Lincoln Lawyer.
• Gary McCann: English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs including Notts County, Barnet, and Stevenage Borough.
• Jerry McCann: Former professional Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. He is currently serving as the team's pitching coach.
• Kevin McCann: Current president of McCann Canada and winner of several marketing industry awards.
• John McCann: Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources from 2002 to 2007. He was a Member of Parliament for Meath West from 1982 to 1997.
• Joanne McCann: Canadian country musician who has been singing and writing songs since the age of seven.
• Paige McCann: English actress known for her roles in the British television series New Tricks, M.I. High, and DCI Banks.
• Jim McCann: American stand-up comedian who has appeared on Comedy Central, NBC, and FOX.
• John McCann Snr: Irish former footballer who played for several League of Ireland clubs, including Bray Wanderers, Bohemians, and Dundalk.
• Noel McCann: Former music producer, director, and sound engineer who worked with some of the biggest names in music, such as Eric Clapton and David Bowie.

Other surnames

McCanMcCandlessMcCanneyMcCannonMcCants