McNee is an Irish surname, derived from the Anglicized form of Mac Niadh, which means "son of Niadh" in Irish. The personal name Niadh translates to "champion."EtymologyThe name originates from the Gaelic patronymic system, where Mac denotes "son of." Variant spellings include Macnee, reflecting the process of Anglicization as Irish names were adapted to English phonetics and orthography during the centuries of English influence in Ireland.Notable BearersNotable individuals with the surname include Canadian actor Andrew McNee (born 1974), Scottish footballer Chris McNee (1914–1986), former Metropolitan Police Commissioner David McNee (born 1925), and British-American actor Patrick Macnee (1922–2015), best known for his role in The Avengers. Other bearers span fields such as art (painter Daniel Macnee, 1806–1882), diplomacy (Canadian diplomat John McNee, born 1951), and sports journalism (Gerry McNee).Variants and DistributionThe name is most common in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where it can also appear with a feminine suffix as McNeice. The homophone spelling Macnee is particularly associated with the Scottish surname. In North America, the name has been carried by descendants of Irish and Scottish immigrants.Meaning: Son of the championOrigin: IrishType: SurnameUsage Regions: Ireland, Scotland, Canada, United States