Surname McKendell - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McKendell: What does the surname McKendell mean?
The surname McKendell is of Scottish origin and is arguably linked to clans that were a part of Scotland's rich and ancient history. The "Mc" or "Mac" in Scottish and Irish surnames typically means "son of." However, the exact meaning and lineage of the name "McKendell" is not readily available or well-documented, likely due to variations in its spelling over centuries and migrations. The name may also derive from a patronymic form of the personal name "Kendall." "Kendall" is of Old English origin, and it means "Valley of the River Kent." The surname may have started as a geographic reference indicating that the family lived near this location. However, without specific genealogical research, it is challenging to provide a definitive meaning and origin of the surname "McKendell."
Order DNA origin analysisMcKendell: Where does the name McKendell come from?
The surname McKendell is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name “MacEanraig” or “MacEanruig”, which translates into "son of Henry". It is a patronymic form, meaning it was generated from the name of a father or paternal ancestor. Variations of this surname include Mckendrick, Mckenrick, and Mackerendrick.
Most of the bearers of the McKendell surname are found in the United States today due to the Scottish Diaspora, which led to the dispersal of Scots in many parts of the world, predominantly North America, during the 18th and 19th centuries. The name may be less frequent in Scotland, as many Scottish surnames are rare in the place of their origin due to emigration. Nevertheless, the surname might still be found in certain areas across Scotland. It is always important to note that the distribution of a surname may change over time due to various socio-economic factors and migration patterns.
Variations of the surname McKendell
The surname McKendell is of Scottish origin and is a variant of the surname Mckendrick. Its variants can include MacKendrick, MacKendry, MacKendree, MacKendrell, and Mckindley.
Due to the multiple ways it was spelled when recorded in writing many years ago, the surname McKendell can come with other possible alternative spellings, such as Mckendrick, Mckendall, Mckendle, Mckindle, Mckindle, McKendil, McKendyl, and Mckendel.
These names are derived from the original Scottish Gaelic Mac Eanraig or Mac Eanruig which means "son of Henry." In Gaelic, "Mac" or "Mc" both mean "son of" which is why they are common in many Scottish surnames. It's important to note that the variations and spellings of the surname can be influenced by factors such as translation between different languages, different dialects, literacy levels, and others.
Lastly, in terms of surnames with similar roots or that might be perceived as variants, certainly, any starting with "McKend" or "MacKend" could potentially fall into this category. This could include surnames like McKendree, McKendry, or McKendrick.
Famous people with the name McKendell
- Ashley McKendell: A computer scientist and former Associate Director for Cyber Security at NASA. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Cybersecurity Center.
- John McKendell: A Civil War veteran who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action and for saving the life of a fellow sailor.
- Conrad McKendell: A professional hockey player who played for teams in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Bryce McKendell: A music producer and composer who works with popular artists such as The Rolling Stones, Metallica, and U2.
- Donna McKendell– A graphic designer and illustrator who specializes in portraying nature, especially birds.
- Nicole McKendell: A film and television actress known for her roles on such shows as The Big Bang Theory and Grey’s Anatomy.
- David McKendell: An award-winning television and radio broadcaster who also writes for newspapers and magazines.
- Sarah McKendell: An award-winning novelist and short story writer. She is also a noted poet.
- Clark McKendell: A jazz saxophonist and composer whose unique sound has been featured on dozens of albums and scores of live performances.
- Shawn McKendell– A professional basketball player who played for the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA.