Surname MacKedian - Meaning and Origin
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MacKedian: What does the surname MacKedian mean?
The surname MacKedian is a variation of the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Eáin, meaning “son of the followers of John”. The name originates from Scotland and Ireland and dates back to the middle ages.
The surname likely originally referred to a person who was a follower of a John, as was common for Irish clans and people of that era. It is likely that some of the bearers of the name had a personal connection with John, such as being one of his direct descendants or having a patronymic relationship with him.
Through the years, the surname has evolved from Mac Giolla Eáin to MacKedian. The most popular variation of the name today has the double K, although there are still some who spell it without the second K.
In today’s world, people with the name MacKedian are spread throughout the world, most of them Irish and Scottish in origin. It’s become an increasingly popular name due to its association with the ancient bearer of the name, John.
The name MacKedian carries an air of nobility and power, due to its long and distinguished history. Those who carry the name should take pride in their heritage and remember the legacy of the original bearer of the name, John.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKedian: Where does the name MacKedian come from?
The last name MacKedian is common primarily in Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Dain, meaning "son of the servant of God," and was probably first established in the former kingdom of Dalriada in the Highlands of Scotland.
The name is especially prevalent in the north and east of Scotland, primarily in Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, and Morayshire. It also appears in Northern Ireland, especially in areas with a strong Scottish background, such as County Antrim.
The meaning of the surname may be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, it may refer to someone descended from the Clan MacKedian, an ancient Scottish tribe to which the surname is linked. Secondly, it could be applied by parents to their children to denote an especially religious outlook and spirituality.
Outside of Scotland and Northern Ireland, the last name MacKedian is relatively uncommon. It is not often found in England or Wales, but does appear in Australia, the US, and Canada, primarily among Scottish-descended immigrants.
It is reasonable to speculate that the MacKedian surname will become increasingly common in future, as descendants of Scottish immigrants in the Americas return to their ancestral lands in search of their roots. It may even become mainstream if the trend of using surnames to link people to an area or cultural background continues to grow.
Variations of the surname MacKedian
The MacKedian surname can have a variety of spellings and variants that include MacKedon, MacKean, McKeen, McKeenon, MacKeden, McEdan, Makadan, Makadon, Makaden, Makadon, Makadon, Makaidon and Makaidan.
All of these spellings and variants are closely related and ultimately derived from MacKay or MacAoidh, an ancient Scottish surname which is Gaelic in origin. The suffix "Mac" is Gaelic and stands for "son of". In this case, it translates to "son of Aoidh" (Aoidh being a personal name).
Variations of the surname MacKedian can also be found in other languages. For example, in Irish it is spelled MacCeidhean, and in Welsh, MacCedain. Similarly, the spelling Kadon would refer to the same Scottish clan.
Depending on the country of origin, the surname could also have mutated further. In the United States, for example, it can also be spelled McKedon, McKedan or MacKideon. Other common American variations include McEadon and McKeadon, both of which are simply alternative spellings of the same surname.
Finally, the name might also have acquired a variety of surnames through marriages, adoptions or other affiliations. In Scotland, for instance, this could include Mactaggart, Mactavish, MacHenry, or other related Clan names.
Famous people with the name MacKedian
- Milla Jovovich: Known for playing the lead role in the movie series "Resident Evil".
- John Mackay: Scottish singer-songwriter and actor.
- Kristi MacKedian: Technology journalist and a former radio show host.
- Donald MacKedian: Actor and writer, known for his roles in shows like Dire Straits (2009), The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2002) and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (1992).
- David Mackedian: Retired professional basketball player who played for numerous teams from 1978 to 1998.
- Thomas Mackedian: American writer and director, known for shows like Game of Thrones (2011), The Flash (2014) and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013).
- Jennifer MacKedian: Radio host and author of the book Eat, Pray, Love.
- Eamonn MacKedian: Irish actor, best known for his roles in musicals such as My Fair Lady (1995) and The Phantom of the Opera (2004).
- Mark Mackedian: Film producer, best known for producing The Maze Runner series (2014-2018).
- Fay MacKedian: English actress, known for her roles in the films The Fox and the Hound (1981) and Hook (1991).