Surname McKinnell - Meaning and Origin

McKinnell: What does the surname McKinnell mean?

The surname McKinnell is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Fhionghuin". This name is a patronymic form, meaning it is based on the name of a male ancestor. The "Mac" prefix signifies "son of", with "Fhionghuin" being a personal name meaning "fair born" or "fair offspring".

It appears that this surname was primarily used by families in northern Scotland, particularly in areas such as Ross and Cromarty. Over centuries, the name has had several variations in spelling including MacKinnell, MacKinney, MacKinnon, and others.

Like many surnames of ancient Gaelic roots, the exact meaning and history of McKinnell is somewhat challenging to trace and is subject to interpretation. But fundamentally, the name symbolizes a lineage connected to an ancestor known as "fair born".

McKinnell: Where does the name McKinnell come from?

The surname McKinnell is of Scottish origin. It derives from the personal name "Cionaodh," which combines the elements "cion" meaning respect or affection, and "Aodh," the name of a pagan god. The 'Mc' prefix means 'son of,' hence, "son of Cionaodh."

The variations in the spelling of Scottish surnames are down to the rich cultural history of Scotland and its various dialects, as well as translation issues from Gaelic to English. McKinnell, therefore, has several variations including MacKinnell, McKinnel, MacKinnel, Mackinell, Mckindley, and more.

This surname was first found in Kirkcudbrightshire, a former county in Southwestern Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times. The McKinnell family was part of a major Scottish clan known as the Clan MacDowall originating from the region of Galloway.

Today, the surname McKinnell can be found in the United Kingdom, primarily in Scotland, and its diaspora, particularly in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where Scottish emigrants have settled over the years.

Variations of the surname McKinnell

The surname McKinnell is of Scottish origin and is derived from the personal name Kenneth or the Gaelic name "MacChoinnich," which means son of Kenneth. Variations and similar surnames of McLinnel can include McKinnel, MacKinnell, Mckinnon, Mckinney, Mckinnell, Mackinnell, MacKinnon, Mackinney, MacKney, Macinello, Mackinlay, Mackinley, McKinnie and Mackinlay among others. The variation in spelling is common with Scottish names due to their translation from Gaelic into English, which did not always stick to a strict standard. Additionally, the spelling of names often changed with each generation based on their preferred pronunciation, leading to a plethora of spellings. The variants can often be seen most in areas of Scottish diaspora such as North America, Australia, and New Zealand where Anglicized versions of the name become more prevalent.

Famous people with the name McKinnell

• David McKinnell: Canadian politician who served as a Member of Parliament from 1997-2006 as a member of the Liberal Party.
• Morgan McKinnell: Film & Television actress and voice artist whose credits include roles in The Last Man On Earth, After His ability, and more.
• Gavin McKinnell: International award-winning lead singer and songwriter for the Grammy-nominated folk band Great Big Sea.
• Dominick McKinnell: Irish-Canadian actor whose credits include roles in films such as Old Man and the Gun, Leprechaun Origins and more.
• Charles McKinnell: American professional mixed martial artist and a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
• Bobby McKinnell: Professional Canadian ice hockey player who has played for the Boston Bruins and more.
• Jack McKinnell: Quality midfielder for the English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
• Tunde McKinnell: British-Nigerian DJ and music producer, member of renowned music label Warp Records.
• Robert McKinnell: Professional CrossFit athlete and 11th Fittest Male in the South Central region in 2019.
• Malin McKinnell: Swedish fashion designer known for her signature follow-the-crowd Casual Street Style and for collaborating with other big names in the fashion industry.

Other surnames

McKinney