Surname Gunn - Meaning and Origin

Finding Identity and Ancestry in My Name: A Journey Sparked by My iGENEA DNA Test

When you think of personal identity, the first things that come to mind are your name, your experiences and the culture you grew up in. But what about the part of your identity that is tied to your genetics? What if your last name held secrets to your ancestral lineage? My iGENEA DNA test and the exploration of my surname 'Gunn' influenced my view of identity and heritage in surprising ways.

S. Gunn

Gunn: What does the surname Gunn mean?

The surname Gunn originates from the Nordic-Viking clans in ancient Scotland. The name is derived from the Norse word 'gunnr', which means 'war'. The clan Gunn is traditionally associated with Northeastern Scotland, particularly in the regions of Caithness and Sutherland. The surname was initially a nickname bestowed upon a person with a warrior-like nature or a fierce fighter, commemorating their valiant spirit. The patriarch of Clan Gunn is believed to be George Gunn, a powerful 15th-century chieftain who served as “The Crowner,” being responsible for keeping the peace and enforcing laws on behalf of the king. As per many Scottish clan surnames, the name Gunn signifies familial ties, shared ancestry, and a collective history. It also represents cultural and historical roots that are integral to Scottish lore and identity— symbolizing a spirit that is as fierce and enduring as the rugged Scottish highlands themselves.

Gunn: Where does the name Gunn come from?

The surname Gunn originates from Scotland and is derived from the Norse-Viking name Gunnr, which means "war." It is primarily associated with the Scottish Clan Gunn, descended from the Pictish people and named after their progenitor, Gunni, who lived during the 12th century. The clan inhabited the northeastern counties of Caithness and Sutherland. Gunn is also commonly found as a first name or surname in Scandinavia, because of its origin from Old Norse.

Today, the surname Gunn is most common in English-speaking countries, particularly Scotland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. In the United States, it's more prevalent in states with high concentrations of people with Scottish or Scandinavian heritage, such as Minnesota and Wisconsin. Despite its spread and various spelling forms (including Gun, Gunning, and Gunson), it remains deeply rooted in its Scottish origins.

Variations of the surname Gunn

The surname Gunn has different variants and spellings due to cultural variations, phonetic pronunciations, or regional influences. Here are some of its most common variants and spellings: Gun, Gunne, Gonne, Gunner, Guinn, and Gwynn. The name is Scottish in origin and belongs to Clan Gunn. So, the names and spellings might also reflect the Scottish heritage.

Local names such as "Mac Ghille Sheathanaich," which literally means "son of the servant of Saint John," have been Anglicized to the surname Gunn. Therefore, variations related to it could be McShean or Johnson.

Other possible spelling alterations over time and across regions including Gunnar, Gunners, Gunnars, and Gunnarsen, which have Scandinavian origins.

It should be noted that many surnames have evolved over time and possible variants could be entirely different from the original name. For example, Patterson, which is another derivative of a patronymic name related to Patrick, has also somehow been linked to Gunn through its northern Scottish associations.

Given the rich history and prevalent migrations, there could be even more variations of the surname Gunn. Some surnames may have been connected through marriage, nicknames, trade or occupation, geographical locations, or physical attributes. Hence, a comprehensive genealogical research may provide more precise variants and spellings.

Famous people with the name Gunn

• James Gunn: An American filmmaker and musician who directed the Marvel series, "Guardians of the Galaxy".
• Anna Gunn: An American actress known for her role in the hit television series "Breaking Bad".
• Sean Gunn: An actor known for his roles in "Gilmore Girls" and "Guardians of the Galaxy", brother of James Gunn.
• Ayelet Gunn: An Israeli-born American novelist.
• Moses Gunn: An American actor with a career spanning over five decades.
• Thom Gunn: A British poet who moved to America and often wrote about cultural differences between the two countries.
• Tim Gunn: An American fashion consultant and television personality best recognized for his role as mentor in Project Runway.
• Kenneth Gunn: Former Scottish footballer.
• Bryan Gunn: Former footballer and current deputy chairman of Norwich City Football Club.
• Duncan Gunn: Scottish professional rugby union player.
• Ginny Gunn: American softball coach.
• Kirsty Gunn: A Scottish novelist known for books like "The Big Music" and "Rain".
• Shelagh Gunn: Scottish marathon runner.
• Peter Gunn: English actor known for his roles in television series like "Coronation Street".
• Nicola Gunn: Australian performer and writer.

Other surnames

GunGünGunarsonGünayGünaydinGunckelGundGundackerGundelGündelGundelachGündeleGunderGünderGunderamGunderichGundermannGündermannGundersenGundersonGundertGündertGünderthGündesGundhardtGundhartGündhartGundlGündlGundlach