Surname McKonkey - Meaning and Origin
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McKonkey: What does the surname McKonkey mean?
The last name McKonkey is of Scottish origin and is derived from MacCoinneach. It is the Anglicised form of the Gaelic MacConaich which, in turn, means "son of the fair one" ("con" meaning fair or rejoiceful, and "aich" meaning one).
The spelling of the name has changed over time, and variants such as MacKonkey, MacKonny, M'Konkey, and McConekey have been used.
The name first appears in Scotland during the period of the 1500s and 1600s, arising in the region of Ayrshire. By that time the name had become quite popular, likely due to the presence of the Clan Kennedy in that area.
The McKonkey surname has a long and rich history. It seems the McKonkey family were some of the most prominent families in the area. They were renowned for their courage in battle, strong sense of justice, and loyalty to their kinsmen. They were associated with many distinguished families, including the Stewarts of Renfrewshire and the Campbells of Argyll.
The McKonkey name is still very common in Scotland, and can be found in many other countries around the world. Today, it is most commonly associated with people of Scottish, Irish, and English descent. So if you have the name McKonkey, you can proudly carry on the proud legacy of this great surname and its noble heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKonkey: Where does the name McKonkey come from?
The last name McKonkey is most commonly associated with the United States, although it is not limited to there. The exact origin of the name is unknown, with some speculating it is of Scottish origins and others believing it to be of German heritage.
One popular belief is that originally the surname was Konkey, and that it was changed to McKonkey when arriving in the United States.
In the United States today, the McKonkey last name is particularly common in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. These include states such as Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The counties that the name is particularly prominent in are McHenry, Cook, and Porter in Illinois, Washington in Indiana, and Columbiana in Ohio.
Most common today, the McKonkey last name tends to be assigned to those of white or Caucasian descent. It is estimated there are up to 43,000 people with the name living in the United States today. One of the most famous people with this last name is the lawyer and politician, Michael McKonkey.
The McKonkey name, while having a majority presence in the United States, is also found in smaller numbers in other countries including Canada, England, Scotland, and Ireland. It is found in a handful of other countries as well, though it is much less common.
Variations of the surname McKonkey
Surnames derived from the name McKonkey include MacKinney, MacKinn, McKinne, MacKinnie, Mackinn, McKinney, McKayney, Kinnney, and McKinnay. Variants of the surname McKonkey may also be spelled as McKonek, Makenny, Makeney, Makinney, Makenne, Makenee, Makeney, McConkey, McConkie, McCaukin, McCalkin, McCoig, McCoik, and McKuney.
All of these surnames are derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Conchobhair," which was derived from the ancient Irish name "Conchobhar." The prefix "Mac" means "son of," so the surname literally translates into "son of Conchobhar." Note that this prefix may also be shortened to "Mc," and different dialects may alter the spellings of the surnames.
Historically, these surnames had roots in different parts of Scotland and Ireland, and they were held as patronymic surnames, meaning that they were passed down from one generation to the next. This means that a son, daughter, or other descendant of the McKonkey family would have taken the same surname.
Though some of the derivatives of this surname may have become anglicized over time, many of them are still in active use today. People bearing any of these surnames are likely connected to the same ancestral lineage.
Famous people with the name McKonkey
- William McKonkey (1819: 1897): American politician and lawyer from Pennsylvania.
- Mary McKonkey (1925: 2008): Canadian artist.
- Thomas McKonkey (1935: 2011): American composer.
- Hannah McKonkey (1773: 1832): American religious teacher and leader.
- Ruth McKonkey (1880: 1948): Canadian doctor and social reformer.
- James McKonkey (1743: 1821): Revolutionary War soldier from Pennsylvania.
- George McKonkey (1877: 1971): American soldier and Medal of Honor recipient.
- John McKonkey (1848: 1916): Anglo-Irish lawyer and politician.
- Robert McKonkey (1851: 1913): American Scottish-born architect.
- Paul McKonkey (1970: present): American actor and director.