Surname McKendrie - Meaning and Origin
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McKendrie: What does the surname McKendrie mean?
The last name McKendrie is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eanraig" or "Mac Eanruig," which translates to "son of Henry." The name Henry comes from the Germanic name Heinrich, which is comprised of two elements: "heim" meaning home, and "ric" meaning power or ruler. Therefore, the literal translation of the last name McKendrie could be interpreted as "son of the ruler of the home." However, like many surnames, McKendrie primarily serves as an identifier of lineage, indicating an ancestral connection to a family headed by a person named Henry. The different spellings of the surname, including McKendry, McHenry, MacEnery, and others, are a result of phonetic translations between Gaelic and English, reflecting the historical and geographical variations in the name's usage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKendrie: Where does the name McKendrie come from?
The surname McKendrie is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Cionaodha," which means "born of fire." The surname usually has a Mc or Mac prefix, which means "son of." Therefore, McKendrie can be understood to mean "son of Cionaodha." Several variations of the name exist, such as McHenry, McEnery, and McKendry.
Despite its Scottish origin, the rise of emigration from Scotland in the 19th and early 20th centuries means this name is now found in many countries worldwide. More so, it has become common in countries where Scottish populations relocated during this migration period. These include Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.
However, it's essential to note that the McKendrie surname in its original form is not very widespread today, and exact numbers of people carrying the name globally are hard to pinpoint. The name could be more prevalent in places with high Scottish diaspora, like Scotland itself and the English-speaking countries mentioned above.
Variations of the surname McKendrie
The surname McKendrie is of Scottish origin and is associated with the Scottish clan MacKendrick. As with many names of Gaelic origin, over the centuries, various spellings and variations of the name McKendrie have come into use. This is due in part to the anglicization of Gaelic names and changes made for ease of pronunciation and spelling.
Some of the alternate spellings include McKendrick, MacKendrick, Mckendry, MacKendry, McKendry, Kendrick, Kendricks, and Kendry. These variations may also include prefixes such as "Mc", "Mac" or "O'", all of which indicate "son of".
The surname is also present as a first name in various forms, such as Kendric, and Kendry.
It is also possible for the name to be spelled phonetically, such as Mackendree or Mackandree, and many other variations which preserve the pronunciation but not necessarily the original spelling. In Scotland and Ireland, where the surname originated, it is common to see various regional and dialectical variations of common surnames, and McKendrie is no exception.
In conclusion, the surname McKendrie has deep roots in Scottish history, and it is preserved today in a variety of forms and spellings.
Famous people with the name McKendrie
- William McKendree: Known as "Bishop McKendrie", he was the first American-born bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States.
- Ron McKendree: A famous American football coach, who coached the Bridgewater State University football team for 29 years. There are not many famous people with the last name 'McKendrie'. Most commonly, you might come across individuals who carry this surname but their fame is often limited to their personal or professional circles. Please note that fame can be subjective and depend on the geographical location or field of expertise. It is also quite possible that there are notable personalities with the last name 'McKendrie' who are not easily recognized due to a lack of public exposure or media coverage.