The surname Nevin has several origins.

Etymology

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In some cases, Nevin derived from the Irish Mac Cnáimhín, meaning "son of Cnámhín".[1] In other cases, the surname is derived from the Irish Ó Cnáimhín, meaning "descendant of Cnámhín".[2] The personal name Cnámhín, meaning "little bone",[3] from the Irish cnámh ("bone"),[4] is derived from a byname referring to a thin man.[5]

In other cases, Nevin is derived from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic Mac Naoimhín,[6] a patronymic form of a personal name derived from a diminutive of naomh ("holy, saint").[7][note 1] The surname Nevin can also be derived from the Scottish Gaelic Naomhín, meaning "little saint",[9] commonly Latinised as Nevinus.[10]

Early bearers of forms of the surname Mac Cnáimhín include: Aithius mac Mic Cnaimhín, in 1159; Donell oge McCnauyne, and Donell begg McCnavin, in 1583; and Dorghan Macknavin, in 1585. Early bearers of forms of the surname Ó Cnáimhín include: Cornelius O'Knavin, in 1574; and Owen O'Knavine, in 1601.[11] Early bearers of forms of the surname Mac Naoimhín include: Thomas filius Neuini, in 1295; Thomas Maknevin, in 1528; Thomas Nevin, in 1538.[12]

One particular family that has borne the surname Mac Cnáimhín was a literary and medical kindred of Uí Maine,[13] first recorded in 1159.[14] Whilst the surname Mac Cnáimhín is associated with Galway,[15] the surname Mac Naoimhín is associated with Leinster,[16] and Argyll,[17] and the surname Ó Cnáimhín is associated with Munster.[18]

In 1881, in Britain, the surname Nevin was most common in Lancashire. In 1847–1864, in Ireland, the surname Nevin was most common in Galway. Between John Joe Nevin, David Nevin, Luke Nevin, Timothy Nevin, Daniel Nevin and others, there have been bare-knuckle boxers called Nevin among the traveler community since Victorian times.[19][20]

Notable people with the surname Nevin

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Notes

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  1. ^ A modern name derived from this word is the Irish Naomh.[8]

Citations

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  1. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942; de Bhulbh (1997) p. 290; Hanks; Hodges (1988) p. 386; Nevin Family History (n.d.).
  2. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942; Hanks; Hodges (1988) p. 386; Nevin Family History (n.d.).
  3. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942; Nevin Family History (n.d.).
  4. ^ de Bhulbh (1997) pp. 290, 316; Hanks; Hodges (1988) p. 386.
  5. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942; Hanks; Hodges (1988) p. 386.
  6. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942; de Bhulbh (1997) p. 316; Hanks; Hodges (1988) p. 386; Nevin Family History (n.d.).
  7. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1956; Hanks; Hodges (1988) p. 386; Nevin Family History (n.d.).
  8. ^ Hanks; Hardcastle; Hodges (2006) p. 353.
  9. ^ Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 323; Black (1946) p. 630.
  10. ^ Black (1946) p. 630.
  11. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942.
  12. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1957.
  13. ^ de Bhulbh (1997) p. 290.
  14. ^ MacLysaght (1996) p. 168; O'Donovan (1843) p. 68.
  15. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942; de Bhulbh (1997) p. 316; Nevin Family History (n.d.).
  16. ^ de Bhulbh (1997) p. 316; Nevin Family History (n.d.).
  17. ^ de Bhulbh (1997) p. 290.
  18. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942.
  19. ^ "Unpaid bet on bare knuckle boxing sparked battle between rival factions". The Irish Times.
  20. ^ Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016) p. 1942.

References

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