McGinnis is a surname of Irish origin, being a variant of McGuinness. Both names are anglicized forms of the Irish Mag Aonghuis, meaning "son of Aonghus." The root name Aonghus derives from Old Irish Óengus, which is composed of the elements óen "one" and guss "force, strength", thus signifying "one strength". In Irish mythology, Aonghus (also known as Mac Óg "young son") was a god of love and youth, a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the supernatural race in Irish lore. He was the son of the Dagda and Boann. The name Aonghus was borne by an 8th-century Pictish king, several Irish kings, and saints, including the 9th-century bishop of Tallaght. The surname McGinnis has been carried by notable individuals in various fields. In sports, George McGinnis (1950–2023) was a celebrated American basketball player known for his time with the Indiana Pacers. In the arts, Benoît McGinnis is a Canadian actor, and Edward McGinnis, better known as Eddie Large (1941–2020), was a British entertainer. Alan Loy McGinnis (1933–2005) was an American Christian psychotherapist and author. The surname appears in other forms including MacGinnis, Guinness, and MacGuinness, reflecting variations in anglicized spellings. The Gaelic form, Mag Aonghuis, shows the patronymic prefix Mac or Mag meaning "son of". In Scotland, cognate surnames like MacInnes and McInnes share the same root, derived from the Scottish Gaelic MacAonghais. Thus, McGinnis is deeply connected to a network of surnames across Ireland and Scotland, all tracing back to the ancient name Aonghus. Distribution and Legacy The name McGinnis, along its variants, is most concentrically found in regions with strong Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Notable bearers in American politics include Brian McGinnis, a firefighter and political candidate. Christopher McGinnis is known professionally as a wrestler under the name "The Kentucky Headhunter." The diversity of accomplishments among named individuals reflects the widespread adoption of the surname beyond Ireland. Meaning: Variant of McGuinness, "son of Aonghus" Origin: Irish, English Type: Surname Usage Regions: Ireland, United States, Canada, United Kingdom