Surname MacKinty - Meaning and Origin
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MacKinty: What does the surname MacKinty mean?
The last name MacKinty is a Scottish and Irish surname of Gaelic origin. Derived from the Gaelic phrase "mac an t-Saoir," the name literally translates to "son of the craftsman" and can be linked to various clans in both Scotland and Ireland. These clans include the MacIntyres of Argyll, the MacKintoes of Ulster, and the MacKintis of Strathclyde and Galloway.
The MacKinty name is also associated with the patronymic form of MacIntire. This variant was used to describe Gaelic-speaking residents of North Eastern Ireland who descended from a lineage of craftsmen. By the 18th century, the Irish Anglicized form Macintire was used, before it eventually mutated from Mc into Mac.
Traditionally, the MacKinty name stands as an ode to a person's skills as a craftsman. This characteristic is especially prominent in the armorial bearings of the MacKinty family, which typically feature a blacksmith hammer, or an anvil surrounded by two hammers.
Due to its prevalence in both Scotland and Ireland, the MacKinty name can also be traced to various locations in Europe, particularly in limited pockets of England, France, and Germany. Interestingly, it also appears to have been established in the United States since at least the 1800s.
Overall, the last name MacKinty stands for a proud heritage that is as impressive as the skills of a craftsperson. It stands to represent generations of craftsmanship and symbolizes the strong form of family bonds that exist between those who are members of the same bloodline.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKinty: Where does the name MacKinty come from?
The last name MacKinty is most commonly found today in Scotland, especially in the western part of the country. It was first found in Argyllshire, a western coastal region in Scotland. Over the centuries since it was first recorded, many MacKinty have planted roots in Scotland's other major cities.
Other parts of the United Kingdom also have MacKinty families living in them. People with the last name of MacKinty can be found in England, Ireland, and Wales, although the population is not as large as it is in Scotland.
In addition to Britain, MacKinty families have migrated across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States, particularly to the east-coast states. Some of these MacKinty also trace their roots back to Scotland via other parts of the United Kingdom, while others arrived directly to America from their homeland.
In recent years, the MacKinty name has spread to Australia and other parts of the world, although Scotland still remains the largest population center of the family name.
Regardless of where MacKinty's have settled, they all share in a long history of origin in Scotland’s western coast and an inseparable bond to their ancient homeland.
Variations of the surname MacKinty
The surname MacKinty, also spelled MacKenty, is of Scottish origin. It is composed of two parts: 'Mac' meaning son, and 'Kinty', an Anglicized and shortened form of the ancient Gaelic name ' Mac Fhintigh', which was derived from 'Fhinte' meaning 'wolf cub'. This is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the father's given name.
The variants of MacKinty include Mackintie, MacKintee, MacKintaye, MacKintay, MacKintie, and MacKintee. These variants are found primarily in the Scottish Isles, where MacKinty is thought to have originated.
The surnames derived from MacKinty include Mackintois, MacKintoy, MacKinto, MacKintoshi, Mackintosh, and McIntosh. Mackintosh is the modern variant of MacKinty, which is thought to have originated from the Scottish-Gaelic phrase 'Mac an Toisich', which means 'son of the leader'.
Out of the Isle of Mull, Scotland comes the surname McKinty. This is a variant of MacKinty which is thought to have originated from a different spelling of the same first name.
Finally, the surname MacKintyre is thought to be derived from the Gaelic personal name 'Mac anT-saoir', which means 'son of the carpenter'. The surname was adopted to differentiate between different families with similar ancestral backgrounds.
In conclusion, the surname MacKinty is derived from ancient Gaelic, and has many variants, spellings and derivations. These include thescan MacKintee, MacKintaye, MacKintoy, Mackintosh, McIntosh, and MacKintyre.
Famous people with the name MacKinty
- Ashley MacKinty: a former contestant on the British TV reality series Love Island.
- Chris MacKinty: an Australian rugby league player.
- Eilish MacKinty: a former female badminton player from the United Kingdom.
- John MacKinty: a Scottish footballer and a former manager of the Scottish Championship club Greenock Morton.
- Marie MacKinty: a contemporary Wexford artist whose artwork has been featured in many events in Ireland.
- Matthew MacKinty: a former professional footballer who has played in both the Scottish Premiership and the English Football League.
- Melissa MacKinty: an American actress best known for her roles on the TV show Dynasty and the film Home Alone.
- Robbie MacKinty: a Scottish comic actor, writer, and producer.
- Ryan MacKinty: a former professional American football player.
- Sally MacKinty: an English actress and singer.