Surname McWhinney - Meaning and Origin
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McWhinney: What does the surname McWhinney mean?
The last name McWhinney is a derivation of the Gaelic name MacUidhinn, meaning "son of Uidhin". Uidhin is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Odhrán, which in turn is derived from the Irish word "odhar", meaning "dun" or "dark" in reference to a dark complexion. The McWhinney name is believed to have originally come from the northwest of Ireland near Donegal and Tyrone, and one of the earliest recorded forms of the name appears in the 17th century in the records of County Donegal.
McWhinneys have a long and proud heritage in Ireland; they trace their lineage back to early Celtic chieftains and kings. These proud Celtic warriors were known for their honour and loyalty and are said to be descended from Irish Irish high king Niall of the Nine Hostages. The McWhinneys maintained their lands and reputation for centuries before settling in the United States and other countries during the great migrations.
The McWhinney name is a symbol of strength, pride and heritage for the descendants who still carry the name today. It signifies a family who experienced hardship and great change during the time of the potato famine, but grew even more resilient and powerful over time. The McWhinney surname stands out as a symbol of the courage and resilience of the human spirit. For those who hold the McWhinney name, it is a reminder of their proud ancestry and a tribute to their great history.
Order DNA origin analysisMcWhinney: Where does the name McWhinney come from?
Today, the last name McWhinney is most commonly found in Canada and the United States. In Canada, the most prominent region in which the last name is found is Nova Scotia and the surrounding Maritime Provinces. In the United States, the name is most common in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
In the United States, the surname is thought to have first been used by members of the Irish diaspora, who settled in the region in the late 1700s and early 1800s. In Canada, it is thought to have been adopted by descendants of Scottish settlers, although records of McWhinney families in the country stretch back to the 1700s.
By tracing family trees, it is thought that all McWhinneys descend from common ancestors. The original spelling of the name is thought to have been MacWhinney, with the current spelling appearing during the 19th century.
Outside of North America, there is a small population of McWhinneys in England and Ireland. Moreover, the name is quite uncommon in other parts of the world, although isolated examples can be found.
Variations of the surname McWhinney
The surname McWhinney is derived from the Irish Gaelic Mac Uainín, with the prefix ‘Mac’ meaning son of and ‘Uainín’ meaning ‘Little John’, thus translating as ‘son of Little John’.
Variant spellings of McWhinney include MacWhinney, MacWinney, MacWheen, MacWheeney, MacWhinny, McWheen, McWhinney, McWheeney, McVinney and McQueen. Surname variants of the same origin include MacQuinney, MacQueenie, MacQweenie, McQuinney, McCuinney, McCuinn,MacKwinn, Mackwin, and MacKween.
The four most common variants of the McWhinney surname are MacWinney, MacWhinney, MacWheen, and McQueen. The most popular variant of the McWhinney surname is MacWinney, which is found primarily in Scotland, while MacWhinney is more commonly found in Ireland. The McQueen variant of the surname is more common in the United States and MacWheen is found in England and Scotland.
No matter the spelling or variant, the surname McWhinney is steeped in the rich history of Scotland and Ireland and can be seen in various parts of the world.
Famous people with the name McWhinney
- Paul McWhinney: Former Member of the British Parliament
- Beth McWhinney: NBA Commissioner for Global Business & Basketball Development
- Hoda McWhinney: Emmy-Winning Television Producer
- Ian McWhinney: Retired NFL Football Player
- Michael McWhinney: Professional Golfer
- Chris McWhinney:Segment Producer for the YouTube Series "Unboxed"
- Jeff McWhinney: Professional Voice Actor
- Sarah McWhinney: Professional Photographer
- Mark McWhinney: Philanthropist and Founder of the McWhinney Foundation
- Stephen McWhinney: Irish Gaelic Footballer and Manager