McCown McCown McCown is a Gaelic-language surname with several possible etymological origins. There are several possible etymologies for the McCown surname. McCown and its multitude of spelling variants could originate from anglicised versions of the Gaelic names "Mac Eòghain", "Mac Eòin" or "Mac Còmhghan". McCown is a patronymic surname, the Gaelic "Mac" (or "Mc") meaning ""son of"" in English. Mac Eoghain is the most likely etymological origin for the surname McCown. The Gaelic name "Eòghan" translates into modern day English as Ewen or "Owen". The prefix of "Eo" in "Eoghan", is often pronounced "yew". This has caused many to translate Eoghan
McKinley (surname) nickname given the deposed MacDunleavy dynasty royals while exiled in Tirconnell and elsewhere. Being, also, one of Ireland's ancient hereditary medical families, the MacDunleavy (variant English spelling MacDonlevy) were in Tirconnell accorded the high Gaelic status of "ollahm leighis" or the official physicians to the O'Donnell clan in County Donegal and practiced as physicians while exiled in Argyll, Scotland. The nickname was Mac an Leigh. Per this scenario the Gaelic language patronymic forming prefix "Mac" (meaning "descended of") is joined to the Gaelic language "Léigh" meaning leech, but denoting a physician. Leeching (medical) having been for millennia, in Gaelic Ireland