McGuinness is a Gaelic name of the chieftains of the old kingdom of Iveagh in Ulster.
Where does the McGuinness name come from?
McGuinness is an anglicised form of the Gaelic Mag Aonghusa, “son of Aonghus” — a celebrated personal name meaning “one choice” or “true vigour,” borne by an ancient god and by many early kings. It is also written Magennis and Guinness.
The McGuinnesses of Iveagh
The McGuinnesses were lords of Iveagh in County Down, one of the leading families of the Ulaid, and held sway over much of that county for centuries from their seat at Rathfriland. The famous brewing family of Guinness shares the same name and root. As one of the historic names of Ulster, McGuinness is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Did you know?
- McGuinness comes from the Gaelic Mag Aonghusa.
- Aonghus means “one choice” or “true vigour.”
- The McGuinnesses were lords of Iveagh in County Down.
- Their seat was at Rathfriland.
- The brewing family of Guinness shares the same name.
Related Irish family names
You may also like McGowan, McGrath, and Barry.
Carry the McGuinness name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the McGuinness collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is McGuinness an Irish surname?
Yes — McGuinness is a Gaelic Irish surname, from Mag Aonghusa, the lords of Iveagh in County Down.
What does McGuinness mean?
It means “son of Aonghus,” understood as “one choice” or “true vigour.”
Is there a McGuinness family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our McGuinness products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
