Surname McElhenny - Meaning and Origin

McElhenny: What does the surname McElhenny mean?

The surname McElhenny originates from the Irish name Mac Giolla Sheáin, which means "son of the follower of St. John." The family was one of the most prominent clans in northern Ireland, and the descendants have spread throughout the world.

The McElhennys were considered a major part of the Northern Ireland Clan Society. They were known as a sept of the O'Neill dynasty, which is one of the oldest in Europe. The clan dates back to the 10th century and was associated with various Ireland's most prominent and powerful families like the O'Neill's, O'Kane's, and MacDonnels.

The McElhennys were very warrior-like and have a great reputation for being fierce fighters who would take on any challenge. That said, they were also known for their honor and loyalty to their family and clan. Many McElhennys have gone on to excel in various fields, including politics, business, and the military.

The McElhennys were also known to be fiercely independent and were not afraid to stand up for what they believed in. The clan was resilient and determined—qualities that helped them survive and thrive over the centuries.

Today, the McElhenny name is commonly seen in big cities and small towns across the world. Whether they know it or not, many people are proud to share the same roots as this powerful Irish clan.

McElhenny: Where does the name McElhenny come from?

The last name McElhenny is most commonly found in Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. In Ireland, it is mainly a Connaught variant of the name MacLoughlin, which is a branch of the King's lineage in Medieval Ireland, an ancient Irishclan that held a prominent position in the West of Ireland. In Scotland, it is also derivedfrom the same family name, MacLoughlin, and can be found mainly in the south-west of Scotland.

In the United States, McElhenny is primarily found in the states of California and Pennsylvania, having originated in the US through immigration. Immigrants came predominantly from the coast of Ireland during the 19th century, particularly during the Potato Famine. Immigration patterns from the west of Scotland date from the mid-1800s. The two states are the most common locations of the McElhenny surname as a result.

Aside from the US, the McElhenny surname can be found in some parts of Australia, particularly in towns along the east coast such as Sydney and Brisbane, where there have been many emigrants from the UK, Ireland, and Scotland.

Overall, the McElhenny surname is most common in the countries of Ireland, Scotland, and the United States, and can also be found in some areas of Australia in more recent years.

Variations of the surname McElhenny

The surname McElhenny is an anglicized version of the Irish name Mac Giolla Eoin, meaning “son of the devotee of St. John”. This name originally descended from the first King of Munster, Eoghan Mór Mac Domhnaill. The variants and spellings of this surname include MacElhinney, McClehany, McCleheny, McLhenny, and McKelhenny.

The first variant of this name is MacElhinney. This variant is derived from the anglicized form McElhenny, with a slight spelling change to MacElhinney. It is most commonly used in Scotland and parts of Canada.

The second variant of this name is McClehany. This variant is believed to either be a shortened version of the original MacElhinney or an Irishization of the English surname Cleary. This variant is most commonly used in Scotland and parts of Canada.

The third variant of this name is McCleheny. This variant is believed to be derived from an abbreviation of the Irish name MacGiollaEoin. It is most commonly used in Scotland and parts of Canada.

The fourth variant of this name is McLhenny. This variant is believed to be derived from an abbreviation of the Irish name MacGiollaEoin. The spelling of this variant is a combination of McElhenny and McLhenny. It is most commonly used in Scotland and parts of Canada.

Finally, the fifth variant of this name is McKelhenny. This variant is believed to be derived from an abbreviation of the Irish name MacGiollaEoin. The spelling of this variant is a combination of McElhenny and McKelhenny. This variant is most commonly used in Scotland and parts of Canada.

In conclusion, the surname McElhenny, derived from the Irish name Mac Giolla Eoin, has five variants and spellings. This includes MacElhinney, McClehany, McCleheny, McLhenny, and McKelhenny, each with its own subtle differences in spelling. All these variants and spellings of the surname McElhenny are most commonly used in Scotland and parts of Canada.

Famous people with the name McElhenny

• Hugh McElhenny: Former American football player and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions and earned five Pro Bowl selections.
• Mallory McElhenny: American actress known for her roles in feature films such as Rent, Secretary, and D.E.B.S.
• Kristin McElhenny: American contemporary artist whose work has been featured in galleries around the world.
• Charlie McElhenny: American actor and screenwriter whose work includes the films Four Letter Words and While We're Young.
• Corbin McElhenny: American musician and vocalist, best known as the frontman of the rock and power pop band Carnivores.
• Kevin McElhenney: American actor and producer most recognized for his recurring roles in the sitcoms It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
• Brandon McElhenny: American actor and comedian who starred in the television series "School Pride" and made an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
• Pat McElhenny: American former professional basketball player who played in 184 NBA games from 1967 to 1977.
• William McElhenny: American former professional basketball player who was a member of the All-Euroleague Third Team in 2007.
• Shaun McElhenny: American actor and producer known for his work on Nickelodeon's "All That" and "Hey Dude".

Other surnames

McElheney.