MacKeon

MacKeon is a surname of Irish origin that occurs in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora. It is most commonly found in the provinces of Ulster and Connacht, and in countries with significant Irish immigration such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Etymology: The name is generally considered an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Eoin or Mac Eoghain, meaning "son of Eoin" (John) or "son of Owen." The Mac prefix identifies a patronymic origin; over time the spelling and pronunciation shifted due to Anglicization, record-keeping, and migration. Common variants include McKeon, MacKeon, MacKeown, and M’Keon.

History and distribution: The surname appears in Irish records from the early modern period, with family lines often associated with particular clans or septs. In the diaspora, MacKeon families established themselves in North America and other parts of the English-speaking world, sometimes changing spelling to fit local orthography. Genealogical research for MacKeon often intersects with broader Irish surname patterns.

In modern times, individuals named MacKeon appear across varied professions in Ireland and the diaspora, reflecting the surname’s continued presence in Irish heritage and its spread through migration.