The surname McNaughton is of Scottish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Nachtan, which means "son of Nachtan." Nachtan was a personal name derived from the Celtic element natu meaning "born" or "new." Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the surname have varied, including MacNaghten, MacNaughton, MacNaghtoun, and others. The surname is most common in Scotland but also found among Scottish immigrants to other countries, particularly Canada, Australia, and the United States.
The surname McNaughton originates from Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Noghton, which means "son of Naughton." Naughton itself is a patronymic name, indicating that it was originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a fiery temper, as 'naughton' is believed to be derived from the Scottish Gaelic word 'naghtan,' meaning red. The 'Mac' prefix in the surname indicates that it belongs to a son of someone named Naughton. The McNaughton clan originally hailed from the county of Argyll, in western Scotland, and they were one of the many Highland clans forcibly cleared from their lands during the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The McNaughton surname is primarily found in Scotland and Ireland, with significant concentrations in both countries. In Scotland, it originated from various locations including Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, and Lanarkshire, indicating a potential Norman origin. Irish branches of the McNaughton family are predominantly found in County Antrim and County Down, suggesting an Ulster Scottish background. The surname has also spread to other English-speaking regions due to migration, with notable populations in North America, particularly Canada and the United States. In North America, it is most frequently found in Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia in Canada, as well as in the Midwest and New England states of the U.S. The McNaughton surname also has a presence in Australia and New Zealand due to emigration from Britain during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The surname McNaughton has various spellings and variations, primarily due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common versions include MacNaughton, Macnaghten, and McNaghton. These variations stem from the original Gaelic form of the name, which is Mac an Aoghain, meaning "son of the little fierce one." In Scottish records, it may also be found as MacNeighton, MacNaighan, or MacNaignton. When anglicized, the name can sometimes appear as McGonaghan, McAnotton, or even the less common McAnough or McAughn. However, all these forms essentially originate from the same Gaelic root.
Notable individuals with the surname McNaughton include:
1. John W. McNaughton (1863-1945), an American politician who served as the Governor of Wisconsin from 1925 to 1927.
2. William A. McNaughton (born 1950), a United States Army general who served as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
3. Michael J. McNaughton (1880-1960), a Canadian artist known for his landscape paintings, particularly of the Rocky Mountains and the Canadian Prairies.
4. John A. McNaughton (born 1956), an American political scientist who is currently the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters at the University of Notre Dame.
5. Alister McNaughton (born 1982), a Northern Irish footballer who played as a defender for various clubs, including Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.
6. John S. McNaughton (1894-1970), an American artist known for his landscapes of the American West, particularly Yosemite National Park.
Each of these individuals has made significant contributions in their respective fields.
The surname McNaughton originates from Scotland, specifically the lowland region around the county of Lanarkshire. Historically, it is believed to be a variation of the more common MacNaughton or McNaghten names. These names are derived from the Gaelic "Mac an Eoghain," which means "son of Eugene." The first recorded instance of the McNaughton surname dates back to the 13th century, with one Alexander filius (son of) Egidii Macnachton appearing in a charter from that era. Over the centuries, various spelling variations have arisen due to differences in transliteration and the phonetic changes in the English language over time. These include MacNaughton, McNaghten, McNaughtin, and others. The family is believed to have migrated to England and Ireland during the Middle Ages, with significant numbers arriving in North America in the 17th and 18th centuries as part of the Scottish diaspora.
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