McNish History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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The old Scottish-Dalriadan name McNish 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 McNish is a cognate of MacAngus and MacInnes.

Early Origins of the McNish family

The surname McNish 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 McNish family

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

McNish Spelling Variations

Translation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of McNish include MacNeish, MacNeice, MacNish, MacNess, MacKness, MacNeece and many more.

Early Notables of the McNish family

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

McNish Ranking

In the United States, the name McNish is the 18,091^st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the McNish family to Ireland

Some of the McNish 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.

McNish migration to the United States +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The McNish were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

McNish Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John McNish, who landed in New York in 1799 2

McNish Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Michael McNish, who settled in Philadelphia in 1866

McNish migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McNish Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. James McNish U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 3
Mr. Joseph McNish U.E. who settled in Elizabeth Town [Elizabethtown], Leeds County, Ontario c. 1784 3

McNish migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McNish Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

D. McNish, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lord Goderich" in 1838 4

Contemporary Notables of the name McNish (post 1700) +

William D. McNish, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Nashville, Tennessee, 1861
Allan McNish (b. 1969), Scottish commentator, journalist and former racing driver, three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and three-time winner of the American Le Mans Series
Leonardo McNish Christie (d. 2021), Guatemalan footballer who played as a defender for Malacateco, Marquense, Tipografía Nacional, Suchitepéquez, Municipal, Galcasa and Cobán Imperial, as well as the national team
Ryan McNish (b. 1981), Canadian professional lacrosse player
Callum Leander William McNish (b. 1992), English footballer
Henry "Harry" McNish (1874-1930), nicknamed "Chippy", Scottish carpenter on Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917, he modified the small boat, James Caird, allowing Shackleton and five men to fetch help for the rest of the trapped crew, eponym of "McNish Island"
Cliff McNish (b. 1962), English fantasy and supernatural author for middle-grade readers and young adults, awarded the Calderdale Award (2011,2013) and the Hillingdon Secondary Book of the Year Award 2013
Peter McNish McSkimming (1872-1941), New Zealand politician, Independent Member of Parliament for the Clutha (1931-1935)

The McNish 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.