McCann (surname)

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McCann or MacCan is an Irish surname. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Cana meaning "son of Cana". The Irish given name Cana literally means "cub", specifically alluding to a "wolf cub" (i.e. a young warrior). [1] The Mac Cana were a Gaelic Irish clan who held the lands of Clancann and Clanbrassil, together known as Oneilland, in what is now northern County Armagh. [2] The surname is strongly associated with that part of Ulster. [1]

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According to Irish tradition they are a Milesian people descended from Colla-da-Chrioch, the first king of Airgialla. The family of the name Mac Cana, were known as lords of Clanbrassil. [3] They were a branch of the Cenel nEoghain, the large group of Northern Uí Néill septs claiming descent from King Eógan mac Néill, the son of the High King Niall of the Nine Hostages. Amhlaoibh Mac Cana is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters. He was praised for his chivalry, his vigour, and his strong drink he made from apples in his orchard. The McCanns are also stated as having had a castle at Portadown in County Armagh. The last recorded Chief of the name, Donall MaCanna, was still known as lord of Clanbrassil as late as 1598. The title of lord of Clanbrassil is still held by the family of McCann in the area of County Louth. [4]

The McCann line features in John O' Hart's 19th century historical book, Irish pedigrees. In this book, the McCann line along with other surname lines are taken right back to Adam and Eve. [3]

Due to anglicization the original form Mac Cana has had many different variations, such as McGann, MacCann, MacCan, Maccan. [3] [5]

Maccan of Italy

Over the years, a branch of the family from France moved to Italy. [6] Here in the first half of the 17th century, from Nobles of Trento they became Counts of Tres by concession of Ferdinand Charles, Archduke of Austria and subsequently Marquis. [7] [8] [ dubious discuss ]

People named McCann

McCann is the surname of Irish origin of several people, including:

People named MacCann

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Cana</span> Ancient Gaelic tribe

The Mac Cana or MacCan were a Gaelic Irish clan who held lands in Clancann and Clanbrasil in what is now northern County Armagh, and had the title of 'Lords of Clanbrasil'. It is the origin of the surname McCann and Maccan.

Quinn is an Anglicised form of the Irish Ó Coinn or Mac Cuinn. The latter surname means "descendant of Conn". The surname Quinn is also rendered Ó Cuinn or Mac Cuinn in Irish. The surname is borne by several unrelated families in Ireland, especially in the northern province of Ulster and also the counties of Clare, Longford, and Mayo. According to the historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Quins were part of the Conmaicne Rein tribe in Ireland who came from the Erainn tribe who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland from about 500 and 100 BC. The most notable family of the name are that of Thomond, a Dalcassian sept, who derive their surname from Niall Ó Cuinn who was slain at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. This family was formerly represented by the Earls of Dunraven. Another family is that seated in Annaly, who were related to the O'Farrell lords of Longford. Another Quinn family was seated at An Chraobh, County Tyrone and they were related to the O'Neill Kings of Tír Eoghain and for whom they acted as Hereditary Quartermasters. Other families include one seated in Antrim; one seated in Raphoe; and one called Clann Cuain, seated near Castlebar. In the seventeenth century, the surname Quinn was common in Waterford. In 1890, the surname was numerous in Dublin, Tyrone, Antrim, and Roscommon. Quinn is one of the twenty most common surnames in Ireland. the surname Quinn is sometimes associated with Catholics, while Quin is associated with Protestants.

References

  1. 1 2 Quinn, Sean. Surnames in Ireland. Irish Genealogy Press, 2000. p. 54
  2. A.J. Hughes and William Nolan (editors). Armagh: History and Society. Geography Publications, 2001. p.318
  3. 1 2 3 John O' Hart (editor). Irish Pedigrees: The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. 1876.
  4. John Grenham (editor). Irish Family Names. 1997. p.150
  5. "McAnn Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". January 2000.
  6. "The House of Maccan - Almanach de Gotha Noble Families of Italy". 27 December 2001.
  7. Filippo F. Manci (editor). "Matricula nobiliarium familiarum Principatus Tridenti ". 1747.
  8. Archive of Trento (editor). "Archivio di Stato di Trento, Archivio Storico Civico, Archivio Contarini". Fondo 166, Inventari 1357-1664