Surname MacKinnis - Meaning and Origin
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MacKinnis: What does the surname MacKinnis mean?
The surname MacKinnis is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic MacAonghais, meaning "son of Angus". The name Angus itself is derived from the Gaelic "Aonghas", combining "aon", meaning one, and "ghus", meaning choice - thus Angus can be interpreted as "one choice". The prefix "Mac" means "son of", hence MacKinnis signifies "son of one choice". The name is typically associated with the clan MacInnes from the western Highlands of Scotland. Over time, multiple variants of the surname have emerged due to phonetic translations and regional differences, such as MacInnis, MacInnes, and MacAngus. It's worth noting the spelling of surnames was not standardized until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hence the many variations of the surname today. The surname and its variants are common in Scotland and among those of Scottish descent around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKinnis: Where does the name MacKinnis come from?
The last name MacKinnis originates from Scotland, specifically from the western coast and Hebrides islands. It is a variant of the surname MacInnes and means 'son of Angus'. Angus, in this context, refers to the Scottish Gaelic personal name, Aonghus, which is associated with a Celtic god of this name enjoying a cult in the pre-Christian period. The MacKinnis surname was first found in Morven, Scotland.
The last name MacKinnis, like many Scottish surnames that belong to clans, spread to various parts of the world as a result of emigration, notably to North America, Australia, and New Zealand during the Highland clearances and other periods of Scottish emigration. Today, the surname MacKinnis can be found in these regions and, of course, still in Scotland. It's, however, not common, making it a rather unique surname.
Variations of the surname MacKinnis
The surname MacKinnis has several variations in spelling and similar surnames due to differences in regional dialects and interpretation of pronunciation. It originates from the Gaelic tradition and is typically found in Scotland.
Alternative spellings and variants include Mackinness, MacInnes, MacInnis, MacInniss, Mackinniss, MacGinnis, McKinnis, McKennis, McGinnis, McKiness, and MacKenes.
The prefixes Mac, Mc and M' usually indicate 'son of', with this name meaning son of Angus, from the Gaelic elements "Mac" meaning son of, and "Aonghus" or "Angus".
In terms of related surnames, those derived from the name Angus (Aonghus in Gaelic) can also be considered. These might include MacAngus, McAngus, MacAnguish, McAnguish, among others.
The wide variety of spellings results from the fact that surnames weren't consistently spelled in a standardized way until recent times. Even within a single document, a person's name could be spelled differently. Phonetic transcription also resulted in different spellings, particularly between different languages or dialects.
It should be stressed that the spelling of a surname is less significant than its origin and lineage in genealogical research. Different spellings can still point to the same ancestral line.
Famous people with the name MacKinnis
- MacKenna Bell: American actress known for her roles in the television shows All American and Nancy Drew.
- Matt MacKinnis: Actor known for his appearances in the movies Get Hard, Nation's Fire, and The Final Project.
- Aaron MacKinnis: American artist who specializes in dark and surreal conceptual art.
- Craig MacKinnis: American environmental economist and former legislative assistant to Senator John Warner.
- Dominic MacKinnis: Professional basketball player who formerly played for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Billy MacKinnis: American musician and songwriter whose music has been featured on HBO's Silicon Valley.
- Lindsay MacKinnis: Stunt performer and veteran parkour athlete who has performed stunt work for films such as Ender's Game and The Guest.
- Nicholas MacKinnis: American actor best known for his roles in the films The Lone Ranger and True Grit.
- Cameron Mackinnis: Voice-over artist and voice actor known for his work in video games such as Fallout 4 and Star Wars Battlefront.
- Sean MacKinnis: Retired NHL player who formerly played for the Anaheim Ducks.