Show ContentsMacNeice History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

MacNeice Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of MacNeice

What does the name MacNeice mean?

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the MacNeice family were born. Their name 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 MacNeice is a cognate of MacAngus and MacInnes.

Early Origins of the MacNeice family

The surname MacNeice 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 MacNeice family

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

MacNeice Spelling Variations

In various documents MacNeice has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. MacNeish, MacNeice, MacNish, MacNess, MacKness, MacNeece and many more.

Early Notables of the MacNeice family

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

Migration of the MacNeice family to Ireland

Some of the MacNeice 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 MacNeice family

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 MacNeice or a variant listed above include: Thomas McNeish, who settled in Philadelphia in 1868; Michael McNish settled in Philadelphia in 1866.

Contemporary Notables of the name MacNeice (post 1700)+

  • Sir Thomas MacNeice,
  • Louis MacNeice (1907-1963), Irish poet
  • Frederick Louis MacNeice, British and Irish poet and playwright

The MacNeice 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.


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