| ![Show Contents]() MacNish History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland The western coast of Scotland and the desolate Hebrides islands are the ancient home of the MacNish family. Their name is derived 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 MacNish is a cognate of MacAngus and MacInnes. Early Origins of the MacNish familyThe surname MacNish 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 MacNish familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacNish research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1522 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacNish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. MacNish Spelling VariationsSpelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. MacNish has appeared in various documents spelled MacNeish, MacNeice, MacNish, MacNess, MacKness, MacNeece and many more. Early Notables of the MacNish familyMore information is included under the topic Early MacNish Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the MacNish family to Ireland
Some of the MacNish 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.
| MacNish migration to the United States | + |
The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name MacNish or a variant listed above include:
MacNish Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Midira Macnish, aged 51, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Mauretania" from Cherbourg, France 1
- David Macnish, aged 60, originally from London, England, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Megantic" from Kingston, Jamaica 1
- Margaret Ann Macnish, aged 58, originally from London, England, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Megantic" from Kingston, Jamaica 1
| Contemporary Notables of the name MacNish (post 1700) | + |
- Robert Macnish (1802-1837), Scottish surgeon physician, philosopher and writer
- Henry "Chippy" MacNish (1874-1930), also spelt McNeish and McNish, Scottish carpenter on Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917
- David MacNish (1807-1863), Scottish-born, New Zealand interpreter, labourer, bricklayer and farmer
- John Surgeon Macnish (b. 1956), English lecturer at the BBC's Engineering Training Department and later producer
- Andrew Geoffrey Macnish (b. 1965), Australian CEO of Dewatech, and former Australian rules footballer
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.
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MacNish migration to the United States 
