Surname McKenny - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McKenny: What does the surname McKenny mean?
The surname McKenny is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Coinnigh" which means "son of Coinneach". The personal name Coinneach can be translated as "handsome" or "comely". Therefore, the surname can be understood to mean "son of the handsome one". It is most commonly found in the regions of Leinster and Ulster in Ireland. This name originated as a patronymic identity, a common practice in many cultures where a component of a personal name is based on the given name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. Over time, it evolved into a family surname. Like many surnames that have been around for centuries, variations in spelling may exist, including McKinney and MacKenney, among others.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKenny: Where does the name McKenny come from?
The surname McKenny is of Scottish and Irish origin. It originated from the Gaelic name "MacCionaodha", where "Mac" means son of, and "Cionaodha", composed of "cion" (respect, affection) and "Aodh" (a pagan god), meaning "Beloved of Aodh". There are also alternate spellings such as Mackenny, Mackinney, and McKinney.
The name indicates descendants of families belonging to the clan MacKenna (sometimes spelled MacKenna) from Scotland and MacKenna from Ireland, specifically in the counties of Monaghan and Tyrone.
Today, the surname McKenny is most common in the United States, followed by Australia and Canada. In terms of state level in the US, it is most common in Maine. Other countries such as England, Scotland, and Ireland also have a fair number of people with the McKenny surname. It's important to note the varying spelling might result in a higher distribution in several regions worldwide.
Variations of the surname McKenny
The surname McKenny is of Irish and Scottish origin. The name is derived from both the Gaelic Mac Coinnigh, which translates to "son of Coinneach", and the anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Mac Cionaoith, meaning "son of Cionnaith".
Numerous spelling variations of the surname can be found in historical records due to the nature of translation between Gaelic and English, changing scripts, and regional pronunciation variations. Some common anglicized variants include McKinney, MacKenney, MacKenny, McKinnie, McKinna, McKenney, MacKinnie, and MacKenna. Some less common variants include M'kinny, Mackinney and MacMine.
In terms of surname variants that would potentially be of the same origin, one might consider other "Mac/Mc" names that begin with 'k' or 'c' sounds. This may include names such as McKenzie, MacKenzie, McKenney, MacKenna, McKenna, MacKinlay, McKinley, MacKenney, etc.
It's also important to note that many family names have been anglicized not just from McKenny but also from other Gaelic names that may have similar anglicisation, so it's possible for people with surnames like Kennedy or Kenny to be of common origin.
Famous people with the name McKenny
- Kenny McKenny: An American artist known for his horror and sci-fi artworks.
- Shaun McKenny: An Australian figure skater who won national championship multiple times.
- Marko McKenny: A Canadian musician.
- Michael McKenny: An American costume designer noted for his work on the Iron Man suit in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Al McKenny: A famous Canadian hockey player.
- Megan McKenny: An accomplished Canadian runner who competed in various international competitions.
- Keturah M. Penniman-McKenny: An author of several books concerning African American experiences.
- Steve McKenny: A Singapore-based Australian coach and former Rugby player.
- Kim McKenny: An Australian actress known for her role in the film "Breaker Morant".
- Jim McKenny: A former Canadian Ice Hockey player. These individuals may not be globally famous, but each one has carved out significant success within their respective field. Please note that the level of fame or recognition can vary significantly depending on the particular field or country.