The sept's historic heartland, highlighted. People moved — a name can be found far from home.
Quick answersIs Johnston an Irish name?
Johnston arrived from Scotland, England or Wales, most often during the plantations of the 1600s. Families carrying it may have been in Ireland for four centuries since, which is a different question from where the name began. In Irish the name is Mac Seáin (sometimes).
What does the surname Johnston mean?
Johnston (Irish: Mac Seáin (sometimes)) means “John's town”. Origin: Ulster Scots (Border).
Where in Ireland is the surname Johnston from?
The historic homeland of the Johnston name is Fermanagh, Down, Antrim. People moved, so the name can be found far beyond it.
What is the Irish for Johnston?
Mac Seáin (sometimes). Related spellings: Johnstone.
Looking for the Johnston family crest? Read this first — arms belong to people, not surnames, and the honest version is more interesting.
Tracing Johnston ancestors? The step-by-step guide.