Surname McClenny - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McClenny: What does the surname McClenny mean?
The surname McClenny is of Scottish origin and appears to be patronymic, meaning it is derived from the first name of a father or an ancestor. It likely originates from the Gaelic name "Mac Giolla Fhionnáin" which translates to "son of the servant of St. Finnan". Over the years, it evolved and became anglicized to its current form, McClenny. St. Finnan was a popular Irish saint in the 6th century, and names invoking saints were common in Gaelic culture, reflecting the family's religious devotion. As with many surnames originating during medieval times, variations of spelling are likely to have occurred, including McClendon, McLendon, and others.
Order DNA origin analysisMcClenny: Where does the name McClenny come from?
The last name McClenny appears to be of Irish origin, formed from the Gaelic Mc/Mac prefix meaning 'son of' and an unknown second element, possibly a personal name. Despite being Irish, it's important to note that this surname is extremely rare in Ireland today. Currently, the McClenny surname doesn't tend to heavily populate any specific region but is more scattered. It appears most commonly in the United States, particularly in the Southern states. This is likely due to the patterns of emigration from Ireland during and after the Irish Potato Famine in the 19th century. Many Irish people relocated to America, where they established new lives and where their descendants continue to reside today. However, because of the name's rarity, it is not commonly found even in the US.
Variations of the surname McClenny
The surname McClenny is of Scottish or Irish origin and has various spelling variants owing to transcriptions, accents, and translations over the years. The most common variants include: McClenny, McLenny, McClennie, McLennie, McClennan, McLennan, McClendon, and McLendon.
The name's roots could possibly be traced back to the Gaelic Mac Giolla Fhiondain, meaning 'son of the follower of St. Fintan.' As a result, similar surnames originating from the same Gaelic root could also be affiliated, such as MacLintock, McLintock, MacLintuck, and McLinden.
The Gaelic prefix 'Mac' was often dropped or modified during the anglicisation of many Irish and Scottish names, leading to other possible variants such as Clenny, Lennie, or Clenden.
Also, merging these names with local names could have led to diversified surnames - potentially creating thousands of variants. But without specific genealogical research, it would be complex to enumerate them all accurately. Furthermore, bear in mind that the usage, spelling, and pronunciation of these surnames can significantly differ based on regional dialects and historical contexts.
Famous people with the name McClenny
- Mary Elizabeth McClenny: Known for her roles in the film Bulworth and voiceover work for Nickelodeon
- Rebecca McClenny: Award-winning American actress
- Landra McClenny: Former NFL running back
- Jordan Leandre McClenny: Poet and Playwright
- Joe McClenny: Actor and songwriter
- Judy McClenny: American country music singer and songwriter
- Warren McLenny: Musician and songwriter
- Edward James McClenny: An internationally recognized jazz musician
- Lauren McClenny: Voice actor for the Cartoon Network
- Troy McClenny: Former NBA and All-American College Basketball Player