Surname MacKinnawe - Meaning and Origin
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MacKinnawe: What does the surname MacKinnawe mean?
The last name MacKinnawe is derived from the Gaelic MacFhionghuine, meaning ‘son of the fair one’. It is believed to have originated in Scotland and Ireland, a reference to physical features such as fair hair or complexion. The name can also be interpreted to mean ‘son of the fair-haired’ or ‘son of the good-looking one’.
It is also thought that the name could be derived from the clan name MacFhionghuine, which was a relatively large and powerful clan of the old Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The last name can also be spelt differently, such as Mackinaw. The Mackinnawe line was an important one in Scotland, and many of Scotland’s earliest families came from the clan.
There are records of other Mackinnawes throughout history, such as a General William Mackinnawe from the American Civil War, and a Thomas MacKinnawe who was part of the infamous African-American 54th Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War. The name has also been Scottishized from its original Gaelic form, and now there are Mackinnawes to be found beyond Scotland and Ireland.
For individuals with this name, it is steeped in history and heritage and represents a long and proud line of family ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKinnawe: Where does the name MacKinnawe come from?
The last name MacKinnawe is most commonly found in Scotland today. It is a relatively rare name, however, and is not found in large numbers anywhere in the world. The name is derived from the Gaelic MacFhionnghaimh, which means 'son of the fair one'. It is an anglicised version of the original Gaelic name.
The earliest known occurrence of the name MacKinnawe in Scotland is in the late 16th century. The first record of the family in Scotland is found in Kintyre, where a MacFhionnghamh family lived from at least 1544. The name gradually spread throughout Argyll and on to other parts of Scotland.
MacKinnawe is uncommon in Scotland today outside of the west and the north highlands. It is still relatively common in the Isle of Mull, where the original family lived. In fact, in 2001, almost a third of the residents of the island were surnamed MacKinnawe.
It is also found in pockets in other parts of Scotland, including the outer Hebrides, as well as the inland regions, where some settlement by the clan took place in the past. However, it is rare anywhere else in the world outside Scotland. It is uncommon in other parts of Britain, as well as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname MacKinnawe
The surname MacKinnawe is a Gaelic-Irish surname originating from the name Mac Fhionghuin, which is derived from Fhionghuin, which means "belonging to", "descended from" or "son of". It is likely related to the name Finneagain, which is a variant of the surname MacKinnawe.
MacKinnawe is also seen as MacKenna(we), MacKin(na)we, McKinnawe, M'Kinnawe, McKennawe, McKennago(ne), MacKinnego(ne), M'Kinnego(ne), McKinnego(ne), MacKinego(ne), M'Kinego(ne), and McKinnego(ne).
In Scotland, the MacKinnawe surname is occasionally also spelled MacKinney, McKinney, Mackening or Macking. It can also be found as MacKenna(gh), MacKennaigh, MacKeneigh or MagKeneigh.
In Northern Ireland, the MacKinnawe surname is occasionally also spelled MacKinawe, McKinawe, McKi(n)nawe, McKinaig, McNinaig, MacKinige and MacKinye.
In England, the MacKinnawe surname has sometimes been spelled McNeenyo or McNeeno, in addition to the other variants listed above.
In the U.S., the MacKinnawe surname has been adapted to match American pronunciation and is sometimes found as MacKinnaw, McKinney, Mackinaw, McKinaw, and McKinnie or McKinnis.
Although the spellings and surnames of MacKinnawe vary, they all likely originate from the same surname.
Famous people with the name MacKinnawe
- Catriona MacKinnawe: Scottish singer and songwriter
- John MacKinnawe: 17th century English barrister
- Alexander MacKinnawe: 18th century Scottish clergyman
- Sham MacKinnawe: actor, director, producer and stand-up comedian
- Jean MacKinnawe: 1968 British chess champion
- Arthur MacKinnawe: general in the British army
- Tristan MacKinnawe: Scottish pirate in the 1700s
- Barbra MacKinnawe: Torch singer in the 1930s
- Lawrence MacKinnawe: 19th century British diplomat
- John Patrick MacKinnawe: Australian rugby union player
- Pip MacKinnawe: musician, vocalist and lyricist
- Lessa MacKinnawe: WWII Australian female spy
- Aveline MacKinnawe: 16th century Scots poet
- Ted MacKinnawe: actor in the 1980s
- Catriona MacKinnawe: fashion model and YouTuber