Surname MacEnny - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacEnny: What does the surname MacEnny mean?
The last name MacEnny is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. The name MacEnny is derived from the Irish Ó hEannaigh, meaning descendant of Eanna. Eanna was the Gaelic god of wealth, and so the name MacEnny was originally used to denote that the family was related to the god or that the family was very affluent.
The name MacEnny began to spread further when many of the MacEnny families migrated to the US in the mid-19th century, this is when the name began to gain its popularity worldwide.
MacEnny is a traditional name that still holds a place of esteem in Irish society and many are proud of their historical MacEnny heritage. Many MacEnny families can trace their lineage back to the given Irish clan name, Eanna. They often celebrate their Irish roots and often reference their appreciation for the ancient Celtic deity, whose name is derived from the Irish for 'wealthy'.
In modern times the name MacEnny can be found around the world, from Ireland to the United States, Canada and beyond. The meaning behind the name 'wealth' still prevails, and MacEnny's are often respected and recognised for their hardworking nature, resilience and success.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEnny: Where does the name MacEnny come from?
The last name MacEnny is derived from several Irish and Scottish surnames, including Mac Cionnaith and Mac An Aonaigh. Today, MacEnny is most common in Ireland, where people bearing the name live mainly in the counties of Kerry, Cork, and Mayo. It can also be found throughout the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries with large Irish diasporas.
The origin of the name MacEnny is ancient and stems from the Gaelic form of the name which translates to son of An Aonaigh, who was a chief from the kingdom of Airgialla in modern day Ireland. The name reflects the combination of Celtic, Norse and Anglo-Saxon influences which were once prominent in the region.
Historically, many of those bearing the name belonged to the noble and aristocratic Irish O'Donnehell family and, though they were not as prominent as some of the leading families of their time, the MacEnny family was quite important in the region. Their descendants are scattered throughout the world, bearing the distinctive MacEnny surname.
The name MacEnny continues to have resonance in Irish culture and is a widely recognized surname in Ireland today. It can be found in many of the localities where the original Irish families from Cork, Kerry, and Mayo once lived and continues to be a common name in areas with large Irish populations, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries with large diasporas.
Variations of the surname MacEnny
The surname MacEnny has several variants which may be spelled differently and has multiple surnames associated with it. Common variations on the spelling of the name include- MacEnnay, MacEnnye, MacKenny, and MacKenney. Surnames associated with the same origin would be MacNieny, McEneny, MacKinnie, and MacKinnnie.
The origin of this name can be traced to Irish roots, specifically to the Gaelic language where the meaning of the name is uncertain. It could come from the Gaelic word ‘ceann’ which translates to head or leader or it could be a derivation of the Irish name O Conghalaigh which translates to hound of the valley.
The surname was first documented in Scotland around the 12th century and is most commonly used in Scotland, Ireland, and England. In Scotland, the surname is found in the counties of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and Renfrewshire. In Ireland, it is mainly found in Counties Donegal, Longford, and Cork.
The history of this surname is not documented in records until the 19th Century. The earliest records of the name to be found are in the parishes of Carndonagh in Donnegal, Ireland in the year 1850.
It is likely that the name was carried to Ireland from Scotland by Scottish settlers during the 16th and 17th Centuries. The use of the surname has declined over the years as people have emigrated from Scotland and Ireland to places such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in search of a better life.
Famous people with the name MacEnny
- Tyler MacEnny, American professional ice hockey player with Melbourne Mustangs of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL).
- Finola MacEnny, Irish actress best known for portraying Judith in the British soap opera Coronation Street.
- Miceál MacEnny, Scottish writer and artist who wrote and illustrated the children's book Patchwork World.
- Craig MacEnny, Canadian professional ice hockey player with the Arcadia Aces of the Northern Senior Hockey League (NSHL).
- Emily MacEnny, Canadian soccer player and member of Canada's National Soccer Team.
- Patrick MacEnny, Belgian former professional football goalkeeper who played for Royal Excelsior Mouscron.
- William MacEnny, US Navy Rear Admiral who served as Commander, Naval Air Systems Command from 2000 to 2002.
- Robert MacEnny, former rugby union footballer who represented Scotland between 1992 and 1993.
- Sean MacEnny, professional football and head coach of Oberbaar in the)|F League.
- Conor MacEnny, Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Bohemians in the League of Ireland Premier Division.