MACNEISH, Macnish, Macneice, Macness, Mackness: Gaelic MacNeis from MacNaois. As Naos is merely a dialectal form of Aonghus, 'Angus," the name has therefore the same meaning as Macangus and Macinnes. The Clan Macnish once possessed much of the upper parts of Strathearn, but were nearly exterminated by the Macnabs in a battle fought at Glenboltachan in the year 1522. The lands of Knocbane, Dumfriesshire, were held by Gilmor Macnesche in 1376 (RHM., II, 16). John Dow Macneische witnessed a Grantully charter in 1494. Jonete Maknes was tenant of Drumgy, Menteith, in 1495, and in the following year Mariote Macneis received sasine of the same lands (ER., X). The name of Jonete appears in January and June, 1500, as Jonete Nete or Neis (RMS. ). Mariot Makneisch had sasine of the fourth part of Gadgill, Kirkcudbrightshire, in 1517 (ER., XIV, p. 603), and two years later there is on record confirmation of four charters by Mariot, Jonet, Katherine and Elena Makneissche, daughters of quondam Duncan Makneissche de Gaitgill-Makillwarnok in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (RMS., III, 191). Donald McNysche and John McNysche, followers of the earl of Cassilis, were respited for murder, 1526 (RSS., I, 3386), and mention is made in 1552 of "a venerable and learned man, Mr. James Makneis, deserving well of the city," i. e. of Glasgow (Protocols, I, 152). Thomas McNaoise or McNoaise "con-fest his malicious imprecaones against the minister" in 1650 (IDR., p. 176,180), and Marion Maknish was charged with being a disorderly person (i. e. non-conforming) in the parish of Kirkrnabreck, 1684 (RPC., 3. ser. IX, p. 573). McKneach and McKnish 1684, M'Kneis 1576, McKneische 1629, McKneishe 1477, Makneisch and Makneische 1508, Makneiss and Makneissche 1520, McNeiss 1550, McNeische 1574, McNisehe 1622, McNish 1718.

(Celtic) Son of Angus, q.v. [Gaelic Mac Naois, a Dialectal form of Mac Angus]