Surname Kinny - Meaning and Origin
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Kinny: What does the surname Kinny mean?
The surname Kinny is thought to be derived from the Gaelic personal name MacKenneth, which comprises two Gaelic elements: “mac” meaning son and “Kenneth” meaning fair or handsome. The first use of this surname is recorded in Scotland, where it is widely believed to have come from the Clan MacKenzie, a clan of the Scottish Highlands.
The surname Kinny can also be found in other parts of the world, notably Ireland and the United States. In Ireland, it is a variant of the surname Kenny, indicating the English and Irish descent of a person. Alternatively, in the United States, it is thought to be derived from different origins, such as German or French.
The surname Kinny has been passed down through many generations and is now adopted by around 2,000 people in the United States alone. This surname has gained a lot of popularity in recent years and is now used in many countries throughout the world. It is an inspiring name that evokes a sense of strength and courage, alluding to the powerful heritage of the MacKenzie Clan.
Order DNA origin analysisKinny: Where does the name Kinny come from?
The last name Kinny is most common today in the United Kingdom and parts of Ireland. In the 2011 UK census records, Kinny was found to be the 162,736th most common surname, with a population of 3,102 individuals. In Ireland, Kinny was the 4,662nd most common surname, with 390 individuals recorded by the Irish Central Statistics Office in the 2016 Census of Ireland.
The Kinny surname probably originated with the Norman knight Thomas De Kenny, who came to England with William the Conqueror in 1066. It has since spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. In Scotland, Kinny ranks as the 625th most common surname, with 576 individuals recorded.
Many descendants of the D Kenny family can be found in the United States and Canada today. Records from the United States Census Bureau show that Kinny was the 6,574th most common surname in the US in 2020, with 15,393 individuals registered. The surname is particularly strong in the northeast and middle states. In Canada, Kinny is ranked as the 29,211th most popular surname, with 1,637 individuals in the country.
Overall, the Kinny surname is fairly uncommon around the world and is mostly found in the British Isles. However, bearers of this surname can be found in countries around the world, with strong contingents in the US and Canada.
Variations of the surname Kinny
The surname Kinny is derived from the Irish or Scottish Gaelic name Mac Mhionnaigh, which means son of the king. Variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin include:
MacKinnie/McKinnie – a Scottish variant of the surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Mhionnaigh.
MacKinnis/McKinnis – a variant of the Nicholson family of Ulster Scotland.
MacKinnell/McKinnell – an alternate spelling of McKenzie, derived from the Gaelic Mac Mhionnaigh.
MacKinney/McKinney – a variant used mainly in Northern Ireland, it is derived from the Gaelic Mac Mhionnaigh.
McKinlay/MacKinlay – a variant found in the Scottish-English borders. It is derived from Mac Choinnlaigh, meaning son of Connal.
MacKinnon/McKinnon – a variant used in the Scottish Highlands and Argyll. It is derived from the Gaelic MacFhionghain, meaning son of Finnguine.
McPennie/MacPennie – derived from the Scottish Gaelic Mac Pengin, meaning son of the crane.
McPenny/MacPenny – a variant found in Scotland and England. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Ponaidh, meaning son of the peat bog.
Kinne/Kinney – an alternate spelling of Kinny.
Kenney/Kenny – a derived variant of the surname Kinny.
Kinneigh/Keneigh – an alternate spelling of the surname Kinny.
Kene/Kenne – another variant of the surname Kinny.
Kinnear/Kinn ere – derived from the Scots-Gaelic MacFhionngha, meaning son of fair.
Juney/J enz ey – a variant of Kinny found in the Isles of Luing and Gigha.
Kinnish/Kinnis – found mainly in Ulster, this variant is derived from the Scots-Gaelic MacFhionngha, meaning son of fair.
Famous people with the name Kinny
- Tariq Kinner: Tariq Kinner is a Canadian actor most known for his role in the television series All American.
- Lisa Kinner: Lisa Kinner is an American television producer and showrunner.
- Marshall Kinner: Marshall Kinner is an American author and actor who has appeared in films such as The Expendables, Looper, and Out of Time.
- Joe Kinner: Joe Kinner is an American stand-up comedian and actor who has performed in many TV shows and films.
- Adrienne Kinner: Adrienne Kinner is an American contemporary sculptor and installation artist.
- Shara Kinner: Shara Kinner is a Canadian actress and model known for her roles in films such as Jurassic World, Rogue One and American Odyssey.
- Tiffany Kinner: Tiffany Kinner is an American actress most notably known for her role in the TV series The Closer.
- Nichole Kinney: Nichole Kinney is an American model and actress.
- Charlie Kinner: Charlie Kinner is an English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- Fola Kinner: Fola Kinner is a British fashion designer and stylist based in London.