Surname MacKenna - Meaning and Origin
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MacKenna: What does the surname MacKenna mean?
The surname MacKenna is of Irish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic Mac Cionaoith, meaning "son of Cionaoith". The name Cionaoith itself is a compound of two elements - "cion", translating to respect or affection, and "Aodh", a personal name originally belonging to a pagan god of fire, which translates to "fire". Therefore, the surname MacKenna can be interpreted as "Son of the beloved Aodh" or "Son of the respected fire god". It's important to note that due to different dialects and the anglicization process, there may be several variations in the spelling of the name including McKenna, McKennas, and Kenney, among others. MacKenna is most common in counties Monaghan and Tyrone in Northern Ireland, where the family held a family seat from ancient times.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKenna: Where does the name MacKenna come from?
The last name MacKenna is of Scottish and Irish origin. It's derived from the Gaelic name Mac Cionaoith, meaning son of Cionaoith. The clan associated with this name originated in the Scottish districts of Kintyre, Arran, and Galloway, and also has strong roots in Monaghan, Ireland.
The MacKenna surname is a result of anglicization, wherein the name was adapted to the English language's phonology and spelling conventions. The name has several variations, including MacKenna, MacKenny, MacKena, MacKene, MacKeni, and MacKenie.
Today, the MacKenna surname is common in countries where Scottish and Irish diaspora settled, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, it is also prevalent in countries such as Chile due to a notable member of the MacKenna clan, Juan MacKenna, who was a military officer that played a pivotal role in Chile’s struggle for independence. The surname is still reasonably common in Scotland and Ireland too. Despite the dispersion of the surname across the globe, it remains relatively rare and is not among the most commonly found surnames internationally.
Variations of the surname MacKenna
The surname MacKenna is of Irish origin and originated from the Gaelic name "Mac Cionaoith." Various spellings and variants can be seen around the world due to regional differences and the transformation of language over time.
Some of the alternative spellings and versions of MacKenna include M'Kenna, McKenna, Mc Kenna, Makenna, M'Kenna, Mackenna, Kennagh, Kenaghan, Cionaoith, Ceannt, Ceanth, Kenna, MacKena, MacKene, MaccKenna, MacKenas, MacKennas, and MacKennae.
This name frequently gets Anglicized, which further leads to several variations and derivatives. In some cases, the "Mac" or "Mc", which indicates "son of" in Gaelic, may be removed, leaving simply "Kenna" or "Kena" or adapted into “Cionaoith”.
It is also intriguing to note that surname prefixes can change. In Scots Gaelic, instead of "Mac", "Mc", or "M'", "MacKenna" could be spelled as "MacCionaodha" or "MacCionnaith". These variations have to do more with language implications rather than a change in root or origin.
In some families, double-barrelled names might appear too with the connection of "MacKenna" with another surname. Therefore, a literal plethora of modifications may exist when considering multiple generations and different branches of a single family.
Famous people with the name MacKenna
- Matthew MacKenna: He is a well-known actor who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows.
- Brendan MacKenna: A notable director and producer, known for his work in theatre and television.
- Stephen MacKenna: He was an Irish novelist, translator, and newspaper correspondent who rose to fame in the 20th Century.
- Hugh MacKenna: He was a renowned Irish composer and musician.
- Caitlin MacKenna: A famous American actress who appeared in several television series and films.
- Eugene MacKenna: Was a famous Irish stage actor from the late 19th to early 20th Century.
- Linda MacKenna: She is a known poet and author.
- Bernard MacKenna: An acclaimed playwright and author originated from Ireland.
- Sebastian MacKenna: Known for his contribution to journalism and literature.
- Garrett MacKenna: A famous Irish event rider who excelled in the sport of eventing. Please note that some of these individuals might not be as internationally recognized as others, and they originate from different eras and different professional backgrounds.