Surname McKendry - Meaning and Origin
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McKendry: What does the surname McKendry mean?
The surname McKendry is of Scottish origin and is derived from two Gaelic words - 'Mac' meaning 'son of' and 'Ceanndra' meaning 'chief or head'. It's an anglicized form of the Gaelic name ‘Mac Eanraig’ which translates to ‘son of Henry.’ The name Henry itself means 'home ruler' or 'ruler of the household'. Therefore, the McKendry surname indicates a familial relationship or descendant of a Henry. Just like many other Scottish surnames, it is a patronymic name, meaning the surname was originally derived from the first name of the father. The use of such surnames began in Scotland as early as the 10th Century.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKendry: Where does the name McKendry come from?
The surname McKendry is of Scottish and Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic Mac Eanraig or Mac Eanruig, which means "son of Henry." It was first found in Argyllshire, a region of western Scotland. However, the name was not confined to this area; it spread throughout various parts of Scotland and Ireland. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John M'Kendrik, a charter witness, in the year 1471 in Scottish records.
Today, the surname McKendry is common in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also quite common in Northern Ireland due to the historical ties between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Therefore, individuals with this surname can trace their ancestries mainly back to Scottish and Irish roots. Like many surnames, geographic distribution may vary due to immigration and shifting family lines, but the prevalence of the name McKendry remains strongest in countries with large populations of Scottish and Irish descendants.
Variations of the surname McKendry
The surname McKendry originates from the Gaelic surname "Mac Eanraig" or "Mac Eanruig", which are translated into English as Henry. Therefore, this surname is common among descendants of Scottish and Irish lineage. It's important to note that the prefix "Mac" or "Mc" signifies lineage denoting "son of."
Depending on the region, colloquial pronunciations, and transliterations, this surname has multiple variants and spellings. Some common variants include M'Kendry, Mackendrick, M'Kendrick, M'Kindrick, MacHendrie, MacHendry, MacKendree, MacKendrie, MacKendrick, and MacKindrick.
Additionally, the surnames Hendry, Henry, and Hendrick might also be linked to this name, as they may have evolved over time from the original "Mac Eanraig" or "Mac Eanruig".
These variations in spelling occurred most often because literacy was not widespread until the latter half of the 19th century. As such, officials recorded names as they were told, leading to significant variations. over time and place. Despite the differences in spelling, these names remain connected by their shared cultural and linguistic roots.
Famous people with the name McKendry
- Sean McKendry: a former Canadian Football League (CFL) player.
- Dave McKendry: a former Canadian Hockey League (CHL) player.
- Sheila McKendry: a former Canadian figure skater.
- Patricia McKendry: a Canadian politician who was a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).
- Don McKendry: a Canadian and international radio broadcaster.
- Donald McKendry: a Canadian World War II Veteran.
- Robert McKendry: a Canadian doctor and politician.
- Brendan McKendry: a former Canadian football player.
- Vince McKendry: a former Canadian Football League (CFL) player.
- James McKendry: a Canadian basketball player and coach.
- Ken McKendry: a Canadian doctor and political scientist.
- Finnerty McKendry: a Canadian rugby union coach.
- Brian McKendry: a former Canadian ice hockey player.
- Jenny McKendry: a Canadian actress, singer, and dancer.
- Sam McKendry: a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer playing for the Penrith Panthers.
- Alan Patrick McKendry: a scientist and professor who worked for the Royal Ontario Museum.