Surname MacKinnarney - Meaning and Origin
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MacKinnarney: What does the surname MacKinnarney mean?
The name MacKinnarney is an Anglicization of the Irish name Mac Fhionghuin. The prefix Mac means "son of" and Fhionghuin is derived from the Gaelic phrase 'Finaghuine', which translates to 'fair-born'. This phrase hints at the origin of the name, as it suggests that the original bearers of the name descended from a noble progenitor.
The name is traditionally found in the county of Donegal in the northwest of Ireland, where it is scattered all across the county. There are also many variations of the name, including McKennerney, Mac Kennarney, Kinnarney, Kennedy, and McKenney.
The symbol of the MacKinnarney surname is the Sacred Heart, which serves to represent the unwavering love and faith of the original bearer. This symbol is often seen in Irish literature and it remains a popular motif in Celtic artwork today.
The name MacKinnarney was most likely adopted during the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century when a large proportion of the Irish population emigrated from Scotland, England and other parts of Europe. This period in time saw many families transform their Gaelic names into anglicized ones in order to make them easier to pronounce and remember.
All in all, MacKinnarney is a proud name with noble origins and an important part of Irish history. It is a reminder of the strong Irish spirit and identity that continues to live on today.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKinnarney: Where does the name MacKinnarney come from?
The last name MacKinnarney is most commonly seen today in the United States as well as in parts of Canada. In the United States, most people with the last name MacKinnarney can be found living in the Northern Midwest and in certain Southern states, such as Virginia and Arkansas.
This last name is of Irish origin and can be traced back to the ancient clans of medieval Ireland, specifically the clan O'Kennedy. The name MacKinnarney is also related to the Macinney and McNinney families.
Within the United States, it is estimated that approximately 7,500 people share the MacKinnarney last name. The largest concentrations of these families can be found in the states of Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, and the District of Columbia.
The MacKinnarney name is not as common in other areas of the world, but there are still people who can trace their heritage back to the original Irish clans, including in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland.
Overall, the last name MacKinnarney is still widespread, but its connection to Ireland is still apparent, with most of the population using the last name living in areas of the United States that are home to a large Irish-American population.
Variations of the surname MacKinnarney
The variants, spellings and surnames of MacKinnarney are Mackinney, MacKinney, MacKinlay, MacKinley, MacKinnley, Makenny, Mckinney, and McKinnon.
McKinnarney or MacKinnarney is an Irish surname originating in County Donegal, Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Fhionghuin, son of Fionghuin. The prefix Mac means 'son of' and Fionghuin is an ancient personal name, believed to mean 'fair born'.
Over time, MacKinnarney or Mackinney has been anglicised into various forms. For instance, the surname MacKinney is seen with a variety of spellings such as Makkinny, Makenny, Makinny, and Mckinny. The forms MacKinlay and MacKinley are also commonly seen. In cases of Scottish McKinnon, the name is believed to derive from MacFhionghuin, but the addition of the Scottish prefix Mc confuses its Irish origins.
Today, the surname MacKinnarney is widespread amongst those descended from County Donegal and can be found in many English-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name MacKinnarney
- Ed Mackinney: American actor
- Will MacKenna: British stand-up comedian
- Sean Mackinney: Irish Gaelic footballer
- John McKennarney: Irish novelist
- Eileen McKennarney: Interior design professional
- Clarence MacKenna: Scottish-American politician
- Adrian MacKenna: United States Air Force lieutenant general
- Vincent MacKenna: Maori rugby player
- James MacKenna: English author and artist
- Warren MacKenna: Canadian athlete