Surname MacKinstry - Meaning and Origin
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MacKinstry: What does the surname MacKinstry mean?
The surname MacKinstry is believed to be of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Oistir, meaning ‘son of the minister.' This lineage is believed to have originated in the Dalriadan region of western Scotland, and it is possible the family arrived on the east coast with migrating Scots in the 11th century. The surname is also found in Northern Ireland, where it is used by the descendants of Scottish planters.
Many MacKinstrys achieved high positions in politics, the army, and the clergy. They often held positions of influence in the church, the government, and local society. The main clans to which the name belongs are the Campbells, MacGregors, and MacIntyres.
In other cases, the surname may have been used in association with occupations such as a minister or religious leader, or someone acting as an agent or messenger. It may also have been adopted by people who worked in a minister's mansion or who occupied a holding in a church estate.
The name MacKinstry is still fairly common in Scotland and Northern Ireland today, and there are many instances of people bearing this surname in these countries. It is also widely dispersed throughout England, as well as other parts of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKinstry: Where does the name MacKinstry come from?
The last name MacKinstry is primarily found in Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. The surname appears in records as far back as the 10th century when a Maol-Chaluimein mac Cinde-Sceith mac Cannind participated in an epic battle. Today, people with the last name MacKinstry can be found in many parts of the United States.
In the 2000 U.S. Census, 23,732 Americans reported having the last name MacKinstry, making it one of the most common surnames. It was particularly common in the states of Texas (3,349 people), Michigan (2,006 people), Pennsylvania (1,820 people), New York and Ohio (1,536 people each), and California (1,282 people).
The United Kingdom also has a population of MacKinstry, with the majority living in Scotland (1,336 in 2019). In Ireland, there were just over 300 people with the last name MacKinstry reported in 2019.
People with the last name MacKinstry come from a variety of backgrounds and have many different familial, educational, and professional backgrounds. There are MacKinstrys who are farmers, teachers, lawyers, government officials, soldiers, and more. They have a long and storied history of contributions to the countries in which they live, and that legacy continues today!
Variations of the surname MacKinstry
The MacKinstry surname is of Scottish origin and appears to be a derivative of the Irish surname Mac an Aonaigh, which means 'son of the fair one'.
The variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin for MacKinstry are:
MacKinstrey - This is the most common alternative spelling of the surname.
McKinstry - This spelling is used more frequently in the United States and Canada.
Mackinstry - This is a spelling variant used in Europe.
MacKinstrick - This is a rare version of the surname found in some European countries.
MacKinstaw - This is a spelling variant found in some European countries.
McKinstray - This is a spelling variation found primarily in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
MacKinster - This is a spelling variant found in some European countries.
Other surnames of the same origin for MacKinstry are:
McAonaigh - This is the Irish surname which MacKinstry is derived from.
McAneely - This is a variant spelling of the Irish surname McAonaigh.
McAnally - This is also a variant spelling of the Irish surname McAonaigh.
McAneely - This is a variant spelling of the Irish surname McAonaigh.
McInally - This is a variant spelling of the Irish surname McAonaigh.
These are the variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin for the MacKinstry surname.
Famous people with the name MacKinstry
1.Aidin MacKinstry, American actor 2.Alistair MacKinstry, Irish sports historian 3.Bill MacKinstry, Scottish footballer 4.Emily MacKinstry, Canadian soprano 5.Kerry MacKinstry, Irish former cricketer 6.Pat MacKinstry, English professional ten-pin bowler 7.Ronald MacKinstry, Canadian artist 8.Benjamin MacKinstry, Canadian actor 9.Rebecca MacKinstry, American environmental chemist 10.Stacy MacKinstry, American actress