Surname MacKenzie of Barra - Meaning and Origin
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MacKenzie of Barra: What does the surname MacKenzie of Barra mean?
The MacKenzie surname is of Scottish origin and was initially used to denote a person who was "a fair-haired follower of Saint Comgan." The last name MacKenzie of Barra refers to members of the MacKenzie family from the Barra region in Scotland. "Mac" is a Gaelic term meaning "son," while "Kenzie" is a derivative of the Gaelic personal name "Coinneach" which means "the fair one" or "comely." Combining these, "MacKenzie" roughly translates to "son of the fair one." The appending of "Barra" indicates the geographical origin, identifying the clan's territorial designation, specifically on the island of Barra located in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The use of geographical regions combined with surnames was common in Celtic cultures, typically indicating land ownership or allegiances.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKenzie of Barra: Where does the name MacKenzie of Barra come from?
The surname MacKenzie of Barra originates from Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic "MacCoinnich" which translates to "son of Coinneach" or "son of Kenneth". The addition of "of Barra" refers to the Scottish island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, indicating that the family once held lands or lordship there.
It is common for Scottish families or clans to incorporate the name of their lands into their family title or surname. This allows for the distinction between different branches of the same family. However, in modern times, the full form "MacKenzie of Barra" is less common and typically it is shortened to just "MacKenzie."
As for where the name is common today, it is still predominantly found in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands. However, due to historical migration and diaspora, descendants of the MacKenzie clan can be found across the world, particularly in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others.
Variations of the surname MacKenzie of Barra
The surname MacKenzie originally comes from the Gaelic "MacCoinnich" meaning son of Coinneach, or Kenneth. The MacKenzie clan is of Scottish origin, with its heartland in Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands. Beyond Scotland, the surname has spread to countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States due to emigration.
Different variants and spellings of MacKenzie include McKenzie, Mackenzie, Mckenzie, MacKenzey, MacKenney, MacKenny, and Mackenney. Other less common spellings include Makensie, McKensie, MacKensey, and McKenze, while the Gaelic form of the name is typically spelled MacCoinnich.
MacKenzie of Barra refers to a specific branch of the MacKenzie Clan linked to the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. This can sometimes be written as MacKenzie-Barra or with similar permutations.
Despite the many variations of the name, they essentially all refer to the same Clan and general origins in Scotland. It is important to note that spelling variations are common in family names, often due to issues like transcription errors, simplified spelling by illiterate people, and immigration documents.
Famous people with the name MacKenzie of Barra
- Finlay MacKenzie of Barra (Modern Gaelic Musician)
- Kenneth MacKenzie of Barra (High Court Judge)
- Sir Norman MacKenzie of Barra (Resided at Eriskay)
- Lady Matilda MacKenzie of Barra (Daughter of Lord MacLeod of MacLeod)
- Alexander MacKenzie of Barra (High Officer in the Royal Navy and Member of the British Parliament)
- Donald MacKenzie of Barra (Organiser of the Stornoway Fishing Industry in the 1800s)
- Kenneth MacKenzie of Barra (former Lord of Parliament)
- Hector MacKenzie of Barra (Physician based in Boston)
- John MacKenzie of Barra (former Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland)
- Crew MacKenzie of Barra (Modern Research Scientist)