Surname MacEnally - Meaning and Origin
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MacEnally: What does the surname MacEnally mean?
The surname MacEnally is a variant spelling of the Irish surname MacAnally. The Irish form Mac Aonghasa translates literally to “son of Angus” and the anglicised form MacAnally can also be found as MacEnally, McKinley, McAnally and Anally.
As with most Irish surnames, the families who bear these names have their origins in a particular area of Ireland. For MacEnally, this is found to be predominantly in County Donegal, where the name is most commonly found today. It is believed that the population of those with the MacEnally name is concentrated in the parish of Donaghmore, in this same county.
In addition to those who bear the name in Ireland, there are those who have emigrated and now live around the world in places such as North America, Australia, and Europe.
The MacEnally coat of arms is believed to be derived from the Gaelic phrase "MacAonghas”, which many believe translates to "son of the valiant one". This is seen in the shield, which features a black lion rampant on a red field. The lion is symbolic of courage and strength, further cementing the “valiant one” reference.
Considering the “son of Angus” translation and the lion rampant crest, the MacEnally surname is strongly associated with courage, strength, and honourable lineage. It is a proud Irish clan, steeped in Gaelic tradition, who have spread from their roots in County Donegal to many parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEnally: Where does the name MacEnally come from?
The surname MacEnally is predominantly present in the Irish diaspora. The name is derived from the Gaelic term ‘Mac an Fhailghigh’ which translates as ‘son of an heir’. It most likely originated from a surname derived from the old Irish Ó Flaithgheasa, which appears in the mid-14th century in County Mayo.
Today, the McEnally surname is most commonly associated with Irish and Scottish ancestry, particularly in the English-speaking countries of the British Isles and North America. The surname is present across the United States, with particularly dense clusters of individuals bearing the name located in states such as Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania. In Canada, the surname is mainly found in Nova Scotia and Ontario.
In the United Kingdom, the Macanally surname is largely present in eastern areas which had strong historical links to Ireland and Scotland. In particular, the East Anglia regions of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire have high concentrations of individuals with this surname in addition to the Irish regions of Border Counties, such as Cumbria, Derbyshire, Lancashire, and Northumberland.
The surname is also present in Australia, New Zealand, France, and Germany, on account of recent Irish and Scottish diasporic movements in the mid-and-late 19th century and during the later decades of the 20th century. In Australia, the surname is most prevalent in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Variations of the surname MacEnally
The surname MacEnally is a variant spelling of the Gaelic surname MacAnally. It is also found in a number of other spellings, including Mac Nally, MacNally, MacNelly and McEnally. The urlikh of this name is derived from the Mac family name, which originated in Ireland and Scotland. It is believed to be a variation of the surname MacEanruig, which means "son of the one who rules in the summertime".
This surname was especially popular in Scotland, where it was first recorded in the 12th century. In Ireland, the surname was particularly common in County Mayo and County Donegal.
The variants of MacEnally or MacAnally include Mac Enally, Mac Eanally, MacAnallo, MacCenally, MacEanally, MacHannally, MacKanally, MacConally, MacKenally, MacKeonally, and MacMonally. These surnames are sometimes confused with the surname McNally, which is of a different origin.
In some cases, the MacEnally surname can also be found hyphenated as Mc-Enally and Mac-Enally. This is a result of intermarriage between families, which can create blended families resulting in more complicated surnames.
The MacEnally surname has spread throughout the world, particularly in the United States and Canada, where many descendants of Irish and Scottish immigrants now live. It can also be found in other countries, including Australia and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name MacEnally
- Zach MacEnally: American actor known for roles in shows like Brothers & Sisters and Criminal Minds.
- Drew MacEnally: American actor, known for his roles in films such as A Time to Remember and Evangeline.
- Joe MacEnally: American actor and producer, known for his roles in films such as The Last Stand and The Perfect Pitch.
- Charlie MacEnally: Irish actor, known for his appearances on RTE's Love/Hate.
- Ken MacEnally: Canadian actor best known for his roles in films such as The Changeling and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
- Gil MacEnally: Australian actor known for roles in shows such as Neighbours and Home and Away.
- Lindsay MacEnally: Canadian-American actress who has appeared in films such as The Shape of Water and Air Force One.
- Liam MacEnally: Scottish actor best known for his role in the television series Monarch of the Glen.
- Ryan MacEnally: American actor who had a recurring role on the show True Blood.
- Sean MacEnally: British actor, known for his roles in films such as Love Actually and Breaking the Bank.