Surname MacKinneen - Meaning and Origin
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MacKinneen: What does the surname MacKinneen mean?
The last name MacKinneen is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic-Irish surname “Mac Cionnaith”. This Irish surname is derived from the ancient pre-10th century Gaelic Mac Cuinn-fhionn, meaning "son of the fair one". The surname is most commonly found in the provinces of Connacht and Ulster in Ireland. It is primarily found in the Counties of Galway, Mayo and Leitrim in Connacht and Donegal and Cavan in Ulster.
The family is said to have descended from the ancient dynasties of Connacht, more precisely the Uí Fiachrach dynasty, who were Kings of Connacht back in the 11th century. The family are descended from Cionnaith, the great-grandson of the King of Connacht, Cathal mac Tadgh.
The MacKinneens were typically associated with farming and rural life, as well as being prominent in the military. During the Irish Middle Ages, members of the family were heavily involved in the struggle to unify Ireland and the fight for independence.
Overall, the family is a proud and ancient one that has an interesting history full of proud warriors and remarkable men. They can trace their roots back to the ancient tribes of Ireland and take pride in their heritage and tradition. The meaning of MacKinneen is both a representation of that proud heritage and a reminder of its history, a history of people who lived and died in the pursuit of freedom.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKinneen: Where does the name MacKinneen come from?
The last name MacKinneen is commonly found in Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as parts of Great Britain. The majority of people with the MacKinneen surname live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England, with smaller concentrations in Wales, Nova Scotia, and other parts of Canada. The name is believed to derive from the Gaelic Mac Cionaoith, derived from Cionnaoith, meaning “son of the wise chief.”
In Ireland, MacKinneens are mainly spread throughout counties Galway, Mayo, and Fermanagh. The largest concentrations are seen in Co. Mayo, particularly in the east of the county, and in Co. Galway in the Clifden and Ballinasloe areas as well as the Connemara coast.
In Scotland, people with the MacKinneen surname are concentrated in the Highlands, with significant clusters in the counties of Inverness and Sutherland. There are also small populations in the Lowlands, particularly in Caithness and in the counties surrounding Glasgow and Edinburgh. Additionally, there is a substantial number of MacKinneens in England, particularly in the London, East Midlands, and North West regions.
In the United States, people with the MacKinneen surname are mainly concentrated in the New England region, particularly in the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. People with the MacKinneen surname are also found in parts of Canada, including Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Alberta.
Today, the surname MacKinneen is still quite common in parts of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
Variations of the surname MacKinneen
MacKinneen is an anglicisation of an Irish surname, pronounced "MAHK uh KIN yuhn", and can be spelt in various ways. Common variants include MacKenna, MacKenna, MacKinney, MacKenny, Makinney and Makinny.
In Ireland, the family name is associated with Counties Galway and Mayo; whilst in Scotland the name is sometimes found in the Highlands and Islands. It is considered to be a sept of the Clann Mhuinín or Maolmhuire, also known as the MacKenna and MacKinnis families.
In the USA, MacKinneen is also found as an Americanized spelling of MacKenna. This is a fully integrated form of the name that was adopted by immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, usually spellings that evolved over time to sound more American or fit with the same phonetic sounds of their homeland.
Alternately, one may also find among these variants individuals or families who adopted the name as a shortened form of McKinnon, a variant of the Clan MacFhionghuin of Scotland. Variants on McKinnon and MacKinnon can generally be found among heirs as well, although McKinnon is the most common older spelling.
The most common spelling today is in the original Irish form of MacKinneen, although one may also find the latter variants around the world as well. It is also a familiar name in England and Wales, having been brought to those countries by descendants from Ireland and Scotland.
Famous people with the name MacKinneen
- Patrick MacKinnen: Canadian director, writer, and producer. He is most known for his work on the television show ReGenesis and the feature films Pontypool and The Demolisher.
- Michael J. Mackinnen: Award-winning journalist and best-selling author. He is the author of The Dangerous Delusion: Why the World is More Peaceful than We Think and The Five Paradoxes of Modernity: Terrorism, War and Crises.
- Calum MacKinneen: Scottish actor best known for his roles in the BBC TV series Monarch of the Glen, Waterloo Road, and Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.
- Eimhear MacKinneen: Irish poet who was awarded the Canadian government’s Governor General’s Award for Literature in 1994 for her debut collection, The Place of Miracles.
- Alexander Mark MacKinneen: British poet and translator whose work has appeared in numerous literary publications. He is the author of Awakening the Clouds.
- Dara MacKinnneen: American film director, producer, and writer whose films have appeared at festivals such as the Tribeca Film Festival, the Miami International Film Festival, and the Sao Paulo International Film Festival.
- John MacKinneen: American actor and stand-up comedian best known for his roles on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother and the Fox series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
- Fi MacKinnneen: American actor and stand-up comedian best known for her roles in the films The 40 Year Old Virgin and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
- Fin MacKinneen: Irish actor who is most known for his roles in the television series Raw and Coppers.
- Samantha MacKinnneen: Canadian actress and singer who is best known for her lead role in the Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast.