Surname Guynn - Meaning and Origin
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Guynn: What does the surname Guynn mean?
The last name Guynn is believed to have many possible origins. It is most commonly thought to be a variant of the Irish surname Ginn, which is thought to have derived from the Gaelic word ‘gin’, meaning ‘kin or family’. It could also have had its sources from Scottish and Welsh languages, being a variation of Gwynn, a name meaning ‘fair’ or ‘blessed’.
The surname could even have had its roots in the Old German word gund, which referred to a battle or a fight. This would have been a patronymic name, describing a relation of a battle.
In terms of records, the earliest recorded spelling of the surname Guynn is dated back to 1585, when Katherin Gynn married John Baker in St. Gregory by St. Paul’s, London.
The name is most commonly found in the United States, having immigrated there in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, it can also be found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia and halfway around the world in India.
Overall, the surname Guynn is thought to have multiple origins, meanings and origins across multiple countries. Its spelling and usage has evolved over the centuries, and it is still one of the most common surnames in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisGuynn: Where does the name Guynn come from?
The last name Guynn is most commonly found in the United States today. It is believed to be derived from the Irish name Ó Gaoithín, which means "descendant of Gaoithín". Guynn is relatively uncommon in Europe and is more concentrated in the United States. Guynn is most popular in the Southern region of the country, with most Guynns residing in Virginia, Texas, and North and South Carolina. The map of the United States below shows the U.S states and locations of Guynn settlements in each state.
In the US, some popular first names of people with the last name Guynn include Seth, Michael, Stephen, and William. Additionally, Guynn is a relatively popular last name across various US ethnic backgrounds, with significant numbers of African American, Hispanic/Latino, and White Americans bearing the name.
Overall, the last name Guynn is a regional name most commonly found in the United States today. It is especially predominant in the South and is associated with various ethnicities.
Variations of the surname Guynn
The surname Guynn is of French origin and is most commonly found in the United States. There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The primary variant of the surname Guynn is Gwynn. This version of the surname originated in France and can also be spelt as Gwin, Gwinne, Gwinnet, and Gwinnette, depending on the gender of the bearer. The spelling is also often changed to Wynn, Winn, Wuinn, Quynn, Quinne, and Quinet.
In Scotland, a separate version of the surname Guynn exists with a Gaelic etymology. The historic spelling of this surname is O’Guinn, with this spelling existing in Scotland up until the 17th Century. Variations of the surname include MacGuinn, McGuine, and MacGuinne.
In England, the surname Guild is the most commonly used version of the Guynn family name. It is likely that this surname was derived from the Olde English personal name ‘Gild’, which is thought to be related to ‘Giell’ or ‘Gill’, two other Olde English personal names. These personal names are believed to have evolved into Guild when written down. Variations include Guille, Gyll, and Gylden.
Finally, the surname Guyon is popularly found in France. This version of the surname originates from Old French and is thought to mean 'surname derived from a place where birds gather.' Variations include Guyonne, Gueye, Queyola, and Queyau.
Famous people with the name Guynn
- Richard Guynn: Former President and Chief Executive Officer at ICBC (National Bank of Canada)
- John Guynn: American painter and sculptor
- Chris Guynn: President of the National Pork Board
- Ed Guynn: Chief executive at US-based law firm McDermott Will & Emery
- Tressa Guynn: Former Vice President of Marketing at the National Geographic Society
- James Guynn: Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Wal-Mart
- Ben Guynn: Singer songwriter and a founding member of the popular bluegrass band, the Gibson Brothers
- Philip Guynn: Former professor of business, finance and sustainability at Oxford University
- Paul Guynn: Retired commercial litigator
- David Guynn: Oregon-based independent filmmaker