Etymology
McReynolds is a surname of Irish and Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic patronymic prefix Mac meaning "son of" combined with the personal name Reynold. Thus, the surname literally means "son of Reynold." The name Reynold itself is of Germanic origin, composed of the elements regin ("advice, counsel, decision") and walt ("power, authority"). It was brought to Britain by the Normans in forms like Reinald or Reinold, reinforcing rare Old English and Norse cognates. The personal name was popular in medieval times but declined after the 15th century. Associated surnames of similar heritage include Reynolds, Rennell, Rennold, Rennoll, Reynell, and the French Renaud.
Notable Bearers
- James Clark McReynolds (1862–1946): Served as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1914 to 1941. Known for his conservative views and adversarial opinions on New Deal legislation.
- Jesse McReynolds (1929–2023): Accomplished American bluegrass musician and mandolinist, known for his distinctive cross-picking technique as part of the duo Jim & Jesse.
- David McReynolds (1929–2018): American socialist activist and pacifist, known for his role as the Socialist Party USA presidential candidate in 1980 and 2000.
- Allen McReynolds (1877–1960): Democratic member of the Missouri Senate, representing the 16th district.
- Kevin McReynolds (born 1959): Professional baseball player who played in MLB as an outfielder for the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, and Kansas City Royals.
- Andrew T. McReynolds (1808–1898): Union Army officer and lawyer during the American Civil War.
Distribution and Usage
The surname McReynolds is most common in the United States, where many bearers are of Irish or Scottish descent. The prefix Mac indicates Gaelic origin, highlighting the family's roots in Ireland and Scotland. While relatively less common than some other Mc-surnames, McReynolds has spread beyond these regions and is found in smaller numbers across English-speaking countries.
- Meaning: "Son of Reynold"
- Origin: Irish, Scottish (Gaelic)
- Type: Surname (patronymic)
- Related: Reynolds, Rennell, Rennold, Renaud
Sources: Wikipedia — McReynolds