Surname Mac Kenna - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Kenna: What does the surname Mac Kenna mean?
The last name Mac Kenna is of Irish origin and comes from the Gaelic name "Mac Cionaoith," which translates to "son of Cionaoith." It is derived from two words, "Mac" meaning "son of" and "Cionaoith" which might mean "respect and love." Thus, the lineage of the name hails from a family who were very much loved and respected during the old Irish kingdom.
The Mac Kenna surname arose in the Monaghan county, located in the Northern region of Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. The Mac Kenna's were one of the largest clans in the Kingdom of Oriel, which was an over-kingdom that comprised most of Ulster and part of Leinster. They were said to be descended from Colla Da Chrioch, one of the Three Collas, and an ancient King of Ireland.
Therefore, the name Mac Kenna bears a significant cultural and historical lineage tracing back to ancient Irish Kingdoms. The bearers of this name share a heritage of respect, love, and legendary kinship.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Kenna: Where does the name Mac Kenna come from?
The last name Mac Kenna is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cionaoith," meaning "son of Cionnaith." The name Cionnaith itself is composed of two words: "cion" meaning respect or affection, and "Aodh," the name of a pagan god, implying “fire.”
The Mac Kennas were an influential sept (a clan or group sharing a common ancestor), that originally belonged to County Monaghan in Ireland. They were known as the lords of Truagh, an area in the north of the county. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the political turmoil and socioeconomic struggles in Ireland led many Mac Kennas to emigrate to new lands, including the United States, Australia, and South America.
Today, the surname Mac Kenna or its variants (McKenna, MacKenna) can be found mostly in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and in countries with significant Irish diaspora like the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of South America, most notably Chile. In Chile, in fact, one of the country's earliest founders, Juan MacKenna, was of Irish descent.
Variations of the surname Mac Kenna
The surname Mac Kenna originates from the Irish name "Mac Cionaoith." This surname has been anglicized and altered throughout the years as families have migrated to various parts of the world. Some of the common variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include McKenna, MacKenna, MacCionaoith, McKennas, McKenney, and McKinna.
In some cases, individuals with this surname dropped the “Mac” or "Mc" prefix entirely, often resulting in variations such as Kenna. Sometimes, also, 'a' in the Mac Kenna surname was replaced with 'o' (MacKenna to MacKenna) due to phonetic pronunciation. Additionally, some people chose to splice the name, altering it to MacKen or MacKenny. These variations occur due to regional and individual personal preferences.
Furthermore, slight changes to the ends of the surnames have also produced versions like Kennagh, Kenney, or Kennan. Spelling also changed as many Irish families emigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries, further broadening the scope of surnames to Kenneth and Kenny.
It’s important to note that while these surname variants all stem from the original Irish Mac Kenna, ancestral and genealogical connections between families sharing these surnames may not always be straightforward due to the many historical, regional, and personal factors influencing surname alteration.
Famous people with the name Mac Kenna
- Megan MacKenna: A popular country music artist from Mexico.
- Bernard MacKenna: An Irish playwright in the 19th century.
- John MacKenna: An Irish author, playwright, and poet.
- María Luisa MacKenna: A celebrated philanthropist from Chile.
- Sergio MacKenna: A prominent historian from Chile.
- Germán MacKenna: An influential businessman from Chile.
- Victor MacKenna: A noted academic from Chile and a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
- Juan MacKenna: An Irish-born, Chilean military officer and hero of the Chilean War of Independence.
- Gabriel MacKenna: An Argentine actor known for his work in television and film.
- Violeta MacKenna: A Chilean actress recognized for her roles in popular telenovelas.
- Eduardo MacKenna: A Chilean engineer and politician who served as a senator.
- Thomas MacKenna: A popular stage and screen actor from Ireland.
- Benjamin Vicuña MacKenna: A Chilean writer, journalist, historian and politician.
- Jorge MacKenna: A Chilean football midfielder.
- Mary MacKenna: A successful Irish businesswoman and entrepreneur.
- Rory MacKenna: a British TV presenter and journalist.