Surname Meachen - Meaning and Origin

Meachen: What does the surname Meachen mean?

The last name Meachen is of English origin. It is possibly derived from a nickname for someone with a 'meek or gentle manner,' from the Old English word maecen, which means gentle or benevolent.

Alternately, it can be derived from the Old English name Maecca, an ancient personal name, or from "mecca," meaning a place that attracts and holds people’s attention.

It could also possibly come from the Norse personal name Magnus. In Old Norse, the name translates to “great and powerful,” or is connected to the higher power “Mahkeh” in some cultures.

The Meachen name first appeared in Cheshire, England in the 14th century, and eventually spread to other parts of the British Isles.

Today, the Meachen last name is still most commonly found in the Cheshire area. It is also quite common in the United States and Canada, primarily among descendents of English and Irish immigrants.

The Coat of Arms of the Meachen family is described as a black shield, with three gold bezants (coins) in the chief. There is also a black horse passant (standing still) on a gold shield. The crest is a black bull's head.

Meachen: Where does the name Meachen come from?

The last name Meachen is most commonly seen in the United Kingdom, specifically England. It is also relatively common in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. The English origin of the name can be traced as far back as the 12th Century and the spelling of the name has changed forms a few times over the centuries, including Macan, Mechen, Meakin, Machen, and Maken.

Early records of the name show that it was initially used by families from the small villages surrounding Manchester, England. It was also seen in many areas in southwest England throughout the medieval period, and also in the Channel Isles of Jersey and Guernsey.

The Meachen surname is also seen throughout the United States of America, particularly in the states of New York, Michigan, North Carolina, and South Carolina. This may be due to the migration of the Meachen family to the States in the mid 19th century when they were fleeing religious persecution in England or Scotland, or it could be due to subsequent generations of emigrants from the UK looking for a better life abroad.

It is interesting to note that the name is also present in Austria and Hungary - a pattern which is not that common with English surnames. This would indicate that there is some more recent immigration of the Meachen family from Britain to continental Europe.

Today, the Meachen name is most typically associated with the United Kingdom, although it is still present in other parts of the world including the United States, Austria, and Hungary.

Variations of the surname Meachen

The surname Meachen has two variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Mechen and Machen.

Mechen is the most frequently used variant of the surname Meachen and is believed to be derived from the Old English words maecce, meche, mac or mic, meaning a big, strong man. It was also a nickname for someone of a similar trait, and it may have been used to denote individuals from Machen, a small village in the county of Monmouthshire, Wales. The Mechen surname is still common in Wales today, although it is also found in other parts of the British Isles, most notably in Scotland and England.

Machen is an alternative spelling of the surname Meachen, and it is derived from the Welsh word maes, meaning a field. This surname was likely given to individuals from Machen, a small village in the county of Monmouthshire, Wales. The Machen surname is currently the least common of the three variants of the surname Meachen, and it is also found in other parts of Britain, most notably in England and Scotland.

The surname Meachen has been known to have a variety of other spellings and surnames of the same origin over time. These alternate spellings include Mecchan, Machean, Makkin, Makeen, Mecheen, Macheene, Machene, Mechenne and Meken. Each of these versions of the surname have been found in various records throughout time, although their frequency of use varies significantly.

In conclusion, the surname Meachen has two variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, Mechen and Machen. More rarely-used spellings include Mecchan, Machean, Makkin, Makeen, Mecheen, Macheene, Machene, Mechenne and Meken. This surname is still quite common in Wales today, although it is also found in other parts of the British Isles, most notably in Scotland and England.

Famous people with the name Meachen

• Caroline Meachen, British Liberal Democrat politician
• George Meachen, New Zealand politician
• Jason Meachen, British composer and conductor
• John Meachen, British taxi driver and politician
• Joanne Meachen, British businesswoman and entrepreneur
• Linda Meachen, American opera singer
• Lou Meachen, American actor
• Margaret Meachen, British barrister and judge
• Mark Meachen, British film actor
• Mary Meachen, British historian and author
• Ronnie Meachen, American figure skater
• Roy Meachen, British surrealist painter
• Thomas Meachen, British television presenter
• Timothy Meachen, British Brigadier General
• Tereasa Meachen, New Zealand actress
• Tony Meachen, British hotel owner and local politician
• William Meachen, British judge and civil servant
• Mike Meachen, British golfer
• Julie Meachen, American veterinarian and author
• Ken Meachen, American baseball player

Other surnames

MeachamMeacherMeachum