Surname MacKinnon of Barra - Meaning and Origin
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MacKinnon of Barra: What does the surname MacKinnon of Barra mean?
The surname MacKinnon is of Gaelic origin, derived from the personal name Findgán, which further comes from the Gaelic elements "fionn," meaning "white" or "fair," and "gainean," meaning "birth". The addition of the prefix "Mac" means "son of," so MacKinnon essentially denotes "son of Findgán". Barra, in “MacKinnon of Barra," is an island located in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, and is associated with Clan MacKinnon, traditionally considered part of the Siol Alpin group of clans descending from King Kenneth MacAlpin, who first united Scotland in the 9th century. Therefore, "MacKinnon of Barra" signifies a member of the MacKinnon clan that traces its origins to or has historic affiliations with the island of Barra.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKinnon of Barra: Where does the name MacKinnon of Barra come from?
The surname MacKinnon of Barra originates from Scotland, specifically from the Inner Hebrides off the Western coast. The name MacKinnon itself is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Fhionghuin," which means "son of Fhionghuin," a Gaelic personal name.
The MacKinnon of Barra branch of the clan is associated with the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. Traditionally, Scots surnames were used to distinguish one person from another with the same first name. Over time, these surnames became hereditary and passed down from generation to generation.
Today, the MacKinnon surname is most common in Scotland, especially in places like Barra and the Isle of Skye. However, due to the historical Scottish diaspora, the surname has also become relatively common in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States, where many Scottish emigrants settled. It should be noted that variations in spelling of the surname can occur, such as McKinnon or MacKinnen. Overall, anyone bearing the surname can hypothetically trace their lineage back to the Scottish MacKinnon Clan.
Variations of the surname MacKinnon of Barra
The surname MacKinnon originated from the lands of Kintyre in Scotland. Derived from the Gaelic "Mac Fhionghuin," which translates into "Son of the fair born or fair hero," this surname has been adapted into numerous spellings over the centuries.
Variations of this surname include: Mackinnon, Mackinnen, Mackinning, McKinnon, McKinnen, McKinning, MacKennon, MacKinnen, MacInnon, MacKinnan, MacFingon, and others.
The MacKinnon of Barra specifically, refers to a branch of the clan residing in the Barra region, with Barra being a small island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. However, it doesn't necessarily come with a different spelling variation.
It's noteworthy to mention that many Scottish names were recorded based on how they sounded, leading to different spellings in records for the same individual. Also, different branches of the clan, spanning different geographical locations, may have different spelling variations. Sometimes, individuals might have changed the spelling of their names after immigration to foreign lands. Therefore, the list of spelling variations could potentially be lengthier.
Famous people with the name MacKinnon of Barra
- Donald MacKinnon of Barra: He was a Scottish crofter who was actively involved in the 2003 Revolt of the Islanders, a campaign led by crofting families to restore their rights and abolish the landholdings of the MacNeil Laird.
- Angus MacKinnon of Barra: He was the great grandfather of Angus MacKinnon of Barra, who held the title of Lord MacKinnon of Barra until his death in 1895.
- Angus MacKinnon of Barra Jr.: He was the son of Angus MacKinnon of Barra, and was the second Lord MacKinnon of Barra.
- Allan MacKinnon of Barra: He is the great-great-grandson of Angus MacKinnon of Barra, and is the current Lord MacKinnon of Barra.
- Lady Isabella MacKinnon of Barra: She is the wife of Allan MacKinnon of Barra and is the current Lady MacKinnon of Barra.
- Iain MacKinnon of Barra: He is the son of Allan MacKinnon of Barra and Lady Isabella MacKinnon of Barra, and is the current heir of the title and estate.
- Malcolm MacKinnon of Barra: He is the brother of Allan MacKinnon of Barra, and until his death in 2017, was the Chief of Clan MacKinnon.