MacCanell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The age-old Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the MacCanell family. Their name comes from the Gaelic word Mac-Dhomhnaill, which translates to mean the son of the mightiest one in the world.

Early Origins of the MacCanell family

The surname MacCanell was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the MacCanell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacCanell research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1546 is included under the topic Early MacCanell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacCanell Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, MacCanell has been spelled MacConnell, MacConnal, MacConnel, Connell and others.

Early Notables of the MacCanell family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacCanell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacCanell family to Ireland

Some of the MacCanell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 35 words (2 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 MacCanell family

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first MacCanells to arrive on North American shores: Alexander, Arthur, Andrew, Francis, George, Henry, John, James, Neil, Patrick, Robert, Thomas and William MacConnell all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1800 and 1870.