McNease History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The many centuries old Dalriadan-Scottish name McNease comes from the personal name Naos, which is a dialectal form of Aonghus or Angus. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Neis, which is derived from the earlier form Mac Naois; both of these mean son of Angus. Thus, the name McNease is a cognate of MacAngus and MacInnes.

Early Origins of the McNease family

The surname McNease was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the McNease family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McNease research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1522 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McNease History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McNease Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. McNease has been spelled MacNeish, MacNeice, MacNish, MacNess, MacKness, MacNeece and many more.

Early Notables of the McNease family

More information is included under the topic Early McNease Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McNease family to Ireland

Some of the McNease family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McNease family

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the McNease family emigrate to North America: Thomas McNeish, who settled in Philadelphia in 1868; Michael McNish settled in Philadelphia in 1866.

Contemporary Notables of the name McNease (post 1700) +

Heath McNease, American contemporary musician
Y C McNease (b. 1936), American American college head coach at the University of Idaho for the 1968 and 1969 seasons

The McNease Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Animo non astutia
Motto Translation: By courage, not by craft.