In some cases, Nevin derived from the Irish Mac Cnáimhín, meaning "son of Cnámhín".
[1] In other cases, the surname is derived from the Irish Ó Cnáimhín, meaning "descendant of Cnámhín".
[7][note 1] The surname Nevin can also be derived from the Scottish Gaelic Naomhín, meaning "little saint",[9] commonly Latinised as Nevinus.
[10] Early bearers of forms of the surname Mac Cnáimhín include: Aithius mac Mic Cnaimhín, in 1159; Donell oge McCnauyne, and Donell begg McCnavin, in 1583; and Dorghan Macknavin, in 1585.
[12] One particular family that has borne the surname Mac Cnáimhín was a literary and medical kindred of Uí Maine,[13] first recorded in 1159.