Surname McConkie - Meaning and Origin

McConkie: What does the surname McConkie mean?

The last name McConkie is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Conchrai, meaning "son of Conchrai". This name was originally a patronymic, meaning it originated from an ancestor's first name.

In Scotland, there were originally two families with this surname: the Mackenseeys of Ayrshire, whose primary surnames were Mackensee and McConchie, and the McConkies of Kempston in Berwickshire, whose primary surname was McConkie.

The Mackensees were first mentioned in historical documents in the 12th century; they were a branch of an ancient aristocracy known as the Lords of Galloway. As with many old Scottish families, the Mackensees acquired the surname McConchie as a result of marriage during the War of the Rough Wooing (1543–47).

The McConkies first appeared in the historical record in the 16th century. In documents from the era, they are sometimes referred to as McKinseys, MacKinseys, or even MacKennesees. They were believed to have been descended from the ancient Celtic kings of Scotland.

The McConkie name is often associated with strong family values and loyalty. Historically, family members look to one another for comfort, support, and assistance. Today, the McConkie surname is still generally associated with these values, and those who bear the name are proud of their heritage and proud of the values they represent.

McConkie: Where does the name McConkie come from?

The surname McConkie is particularly associated with Scotland and Ireland, although there is a growing presence in other parts of the world. In Scotland it is derived from the names MacCongail and MacCungail, the latter a variation of the Irish name MacCongail. The original meaning of the name comes from the Gaelic meaning "from the narrow pass or glen".

Today, the name McConkie is most common in the United States, where it ranks among the top 350 surnames. The McConkie family has been present in the United States since at least the mid-1800s, with records of British, Irish, and Scottish immigrants appearing in numerous states throughout the country. Beyond the US, the surname McConkie is also found in Scotland, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.

The name McConkie has been passed down through the generations and today it likely remains most popular in the United States. However, given the widespread nature of the surname and its presence in many countries throughout the world, it is likely to continue its presence in the future.

Variations of the surname McConkie

McConkie is an Irish/Gaelic surname that has a few variant spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common spellings of McConkie are Mac Connaght, Macconnoki, Mac Connake, Mac Conkey, Mac Conkie, and McConky. These all derive from the Gaelic Mac Connaght, meaning “son of Connacht”. Connacht was the old name for a province in Ireland and the original McConkie family had their origins in this part of the world.

Other surnames of the same origin are similar in spelling; McConkey, MacConnect, MacConachie, MacConochy, MacConachy, and MacConkie.

The occasional variant on the McConkie name is also seen, which includes McKinkee, MacKinchie, and MacKonkie. These spellings are far less common, but they are technically of the same origin and just a variation of the original Libyan surname.

McConkie is also a popular surname in the United States, which may have been anglicized over time. There is no definitive answer as to where the McConkie family originated from, though many sources suggest that they were of Irish or Scottish descent.

In conclusion, the surname McConkie can have variations in spelling, including Mac Connaght, Macconnoki, Mac Connake, Mac Conkey, Mac Conkie, McConky, McConkey, MacConnect, MacConachie, MacConochy, MacConachy, MacConkie, McKinkee, MacKinchie, and MacKonkie. All of these are derived from the original Irish Mac Connaght, meaning “son of Connacht”.

Famous people with the name McConkie

• David O. McKay McConkie: a former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and current President and Chief Executive Officer of Corning Incorporated.
• Bruce R. McConkie: an American Latter-day Saint leader, scholar, and member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 until his death in 1985.
• Mark McConkie: a currently serving Bishop of the Washington, D.C. Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and formerly the first counselor in the presiding Bishopric of the Church from 2016 to early 2021
• Joseph F. McConkie: An American Professor Emeritus of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, holder of the E. Dale LeBaron Chair in Ancient Studies, and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Mary Ann McConkie: an American Latter-day Saint speaker and daughter of Bruce R. McConkie
• G. Homer Durham: an American geologist, former president of the University of Utah, and president of the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1956 to 1959
• Robert L. Millet: an academic, author, speaker, and religious leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Madeline McMillen McConkie: an American television actress featured in movies and video games

Other surnames

McConkey