Surname MacKendry - Meaning and Origin
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MacKendry: What does the surname MacKendry mean?
The last name MacKendry is derived from the ancient Celtic language and was originally spelled as M'Kendree or MacKendrie in Scotland. It is thought to mean "son of the son of Kendry", referring to the ancient warm and gentle leader.
The ancient MacKendrys were leaders of clans throughout Northern Scotland. As such, they were known for being strong leaders and warriors. Some historians have speculated that the MacKendrys were able to unite clans through marriage and other alliances, creating powerful dynasties.
The name MacKendry is now found throughout Scotland, Canada, and the United States. It is still associated with strong leadership throughout all three countries. People with this name are often outgoing, assertive, and driven, although they can also be very caring and sensitive.
The name MacKendry is steeped in rich and ancient history. It is a name that is still, to this day, associated with leadership and strength. It is fitting for anyone who is looking for a name that boldly stands out in the crowd and that is backed up by a long and proud heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKendry: Where does the name MacKendry come from?
The MacKendry surname is most commonly found today in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. It originated in Scotland, and is derived from the Gaelic MacEanruig, meaning "son of Henry." Some MacKendrys migrated to North America in the early and mid-1800s, settling in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada, and the Northeastern and Midwestern United States.
The majority of MacKendrys in the United States live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and New Hampshire, with smaller concentrations appearing in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania. They also tend to be heavily concentrated in a few Canadian provinces, particularly New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
The surname is becoming relatively rare in both countries, however, as more and more individuals embrace the custom of choosing unique and creative names for their children instead of traditional surnames. This means that while the MacKendry surname is still prominent in certain communities in North America, it may diminish in popularity in the coming years.
Variations of the surname MacKendry
The surname MacKendry derives from the Gaelic language and is of ancient Scottish and Irish origin. The earliest recorded use of the name MacKendry can be traced back to the fourteenth century and, in its various forms, it has been used as both a forename and surname.
The variants and spellings for MacKendry include MacKendrie, MacKendree, MacKendree, McKendree, McKendry, McKendi, MacKindrick, Makindree, Makendry, Makindree and McKendri.
The modern spelling of the surname MacKendry is popular in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand, and is often abbreviated as McK.
The surname MacKendry may also have alternate spellings depending on its geographical location.
In Scotland, MacKendry can also be spelled as MacKandra, Mackintoch, Mackintry, Mackintroy, Kintra, and Kendry. In Ireland, it is also spelled as Kintyre, Kintrea, Condra, Kinnerton, and Kintron.
In the United States, MacKendry can also be spelled as McKendry, McKendree, Makendry, Makindree, MacKindrich, MacKindrick and MacKinnon. In Canada, the name is also spelled as MacKinderry, MacKinderree, Makinder, and etc.
The surname MacKendry is the anglicised version of the MacKendrie, and is believed to have originated from the place-name 'Kendry.'
The various spellings of the surname MacKendry and its variants illustrate how names evolved throughout history and through the generations.
Famous people with the name MacKendry
- Callum MacKendry: British actor who stars in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.
- John MacKendry: Hockey Hall of Fame inductee who was inducted in 1969, and played for multiple teams including the Montreal Maroons, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Ottawa Senators.
- Blair MacKendry: Canadian folk-pop and jazz-pop singer-songwriter and guitarist from Alberta who is best known for his album “Flying High”.
- Dick MacKendry: Member of the Canadian Base Regiments Band and a prolific Canadian composer of band music.
- Bill MacKendry: Former Canadian Football League quarterback who played mainly for the Montreal Alouettes in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Sean MacKendry: Canadian Football League kicker who played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1995 to 1999.
- Andrew MacKendry: Retired professional ice hockey player who spent most of his career playing in the North American minor leagues in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Tracy MacKendry: Olympic Judo medalist and professional mixed martial artist who is currently signed with Bellator MMA.
- Joshua MacKendry: Alaskan politican and the youngest Member of the Alaskan House of Representatives who served from 2019 until his early retirement in 2021.
- Ryan MacKendry: Professional Canadian Lacrosse player who currently plays for the Philadelphia Wings in the National Lacrosse League.