MacEòghainn is a Scottish Gaelic surname meaning "son of Eoghan," equivalent to the Irish Mac Eoghain. It is a patronymic name deeply rooted in Gaelic tradition. The root name Eoghan is thought to derive from Old Irish eó "yew" plus gan "born," possibly meaning "born from the yew tree." Alternatively, it may have Latin origins, drawn from Eugenius, itself a Latinized form of Greek Eugenios (see Eugene), meaning "well-born" or "noble".Historical and Cultural ContextIn Scottish Gaelic usage, patronymic surnames like MacEòghainn were common—prefixed to the father's name to denote lineage. The medieval shift from patronymics to fixed surnames (17th–18th centuries) solidified forms like this. Historically, Eoghan is prominent in Irish legend, including a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages (4th century), linking the name to early Gaelic aristocracy and migrations from Ireland to Scotland.The name appears in different Anglicized variants, such as McEwan (ultimately sharing the same origin) and Irish versions like McCune and McKowen, adapted to Scottish and Ulster Scots dialects through anglicization. The primary Gaelic equivalent remains MacEòghainn or, without lenition, MacEoghan—exhibiting broader survival of the original form.While now less common, the name persists among Scots diaspora, preserved in family histories and gravestones.Meaning: Son of EoghanOrigin: Scottish Gaelic, derived from Old Irish EoghanType: Surname (partonymic)Usage Regions: Scotland, Irish migrants, Ulster