McCunn is a surname, originating in Scotland but now widespread in many countries across the world.

Origins of the name

The surname is probably a variant of 'McCune', the Anglicised form of 'MacEoghainn'. The personal name 'Eoghain' is a Gaelic form of the Latin 'Eugenius', meaning 'noble', borne by a third-century bishop and martyr. Another theory suggests McCunn as a variant of 'McKeown', which comes from the Celtic 'Mac Eoin' ('Eoin' being the Irish form of John).

Family history

The first recorded bearer of the name was Gilcrist McKwnne, circa 1370, in the Calendar of the Laing Charters during the reign of King David II of Scotland. The surname was introduced to Ulster by Scottish settlers during the plantation of the province and later many McCunns emigrated during the Great Famine of Ireland. Since then, the McCunn family has spread throughout the world particularly to North America.

Notable McCunns

• Hamish MacCunn (1868–1916), Scottish composer, conductor and teacher
• Ruthanne Lum McCunn (born 1946), American novelist
• John McCunn (1820–1872), corrupt New York judge and member of the infamous Tweed Ring
• Dickson McCunn, fictitious character in John Buchan's novels Huntingtower and The Adventures of Dickson McCunn
• Carl McCunn (1947–1981), American wildlife photographer
• Thomas McCunn, the longest serving lifeboat at Longhope with over 300 lives saved