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The older Irish version of Muckian is ó Mochaidhean, and is documented in Edward MacLysaght's 'Surnames of Ireland' as being originally from the barony of Cremorne, in Co Monaghan. It has also been anglicized Muckeen and MacKian, and even MacKean, which was originally a Scottish name. McKeon and McKeown on the other hand come originally from MacEoghain and MacEoin. A further confusion is caused by the name Mackin or Macken, found in Monaghan and Louth, which originated as ó Maicín or ó Macáin. We also get confused occasionally with the MacIains - the Glencoe McDonalds from Scotland. However, research in the census records and Catholic parish registers for the nineteenth century has produced a variety of spellings for families who were definitely in the Muckian tree, including Muckean, Muckin and Macken and even McIen. There are some marriages in Ireland where both Muckian and Mackian were given as alternatives in the official record. The latest tool in looking for distant roots is DNA analysis, and a Muckian DNA project has been set up at www.muckian-dna(dot)com. Only one result so far - R1b1c7 M222+. For the non-techies, that means that we are descended for the line that produced High King of Ireland Niall of the Nine Hostages in the 5th century!