McGuinness
An Irish surname from Mac Aonghuis, meaning “son of Angus.”
The #7,650 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 71,107 Americans shares it.
Etymology
McGuinness is the Anglicized form of Irish Mac Aonghuis, “son of Aonghus” or “son of Angus.” The personal name Aonghus is traditionally explained as meaning something like “one strength” or “chosen vigor,” though older writers sometimes gave looser interpretations. The surname is therefore a patronymic, built from the father’s name rather than from an occupation or place.
History
The name is associated with the ancient lords of Iveagh in County Down, where the Mac Aonghuis line was prominent. In English records it appears in forms such as MacGuinness, McGuinness, and Guinness, with the prefix often dropped in some branches. It remains especially associated with Ireland and the Irish diaspora.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Some older sources treat Guinness as a shortened form of McGuinness, rather than only the famous brewery name.
From the historical record
“Guihen. The Irish form of Wynne Guinness or MacGuinness. From the Irish Aongusa (excellent virtue) Ancient lords of Iveagh, co. Down.”
— British Family Names: their origin and meaning (2nd ed.)