MacNess History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of MacNess

What does the name MacNess mean?

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the MacNess family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. 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 MacNess is a cognate of MacAngus and MacInnes.

Early Origins of the MacNess family

The surname MacNess 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 MacNess family

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

MacNess Spelling Variations

In various documents MacNess 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 MacNess family

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

Migration of the MacNess family to Ireland

Some of the MacNess 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 MacNess family

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name MacNess or a variant listed above: Thomas McNeish, who settled in Philadelphia in 1868; Michael McNish settled in Philadelphia in 1866.

The MacNess 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.