Surname MacHenry - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacHenry: What does the surname MacHenry mean?
The last name MacHenry is of Scottish origin and is a variant of "MacEnery" or "McHenry". The name is derived from the Gaelic name "MacInneirghe", which translates to "Son of the Furious One". It is commonly associated with the regions of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and is prefixed by ‘Mac’ or ‘Mc’ denoting 'son of'. Such names were based on the profession or personal attributes of an individual. Therefore, an ancestor of the MacHenry family likely had a hot temper or was a forceful individual. During the middle ages, it was common to translate such Gaelic names into English, transforming the name into "MacHenry" or similar variations. It is important to understand that the meaning might differ slightly across communities owing to language variations and cultural interpretations over time.
Order DNA origin analysisMacHenry: Where does the name MacHenry come from?
The last name MacHenry is of Scottish origin. It derives from the Gaelic "Mac Eanruig", which translates to "son of Henry". The name was traditionally used to signify descendants of individuals named Henry. Despite its Scottish roots, the surname isn't commonly found in Scotland today due to historical emigration. Consequently, the name has spread to different parts of the world. Today, it is more common in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia where Scottish immigrants historically settled. However, it is still not an overly common name in those countries either. The surname can also be found, although less frequently, in parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname MacHenry
The surname MacHenry originates from the Irish Gaelic Mac Eanraig, meaning "son of Henry". The English equivalent of this surname is FitzHenry, which also means "son of Henry". There are various spellings and variants of this surname, often reflecting regional differences or alterations over time due to phonetic spelling.
Common alternative spellings and variants include McHenry, MacHendry, MacHenri, McHendry and McHenri. Another variation is MacEinri, which reflects the original Gaelic name but with a modified spelling. In some cases, the 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix (meaning 'son of') may be dropped, leaving the surname as Henry or Hendry.
It’s also important to note that due to emigration and Anglicization, many Irish names have changed substantially. For example, the MacHenry surname may have been simplified to Henry or Hendry in some cases.
MacEnery and MacEnroe are also related surnames, originating from the same Gaelic root, but have undergone more substantial spelling modifications.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that variations of "Henry" as a first name, such as "Harry" or "Harold", don't typically relate to the surname MacHenry. These are typically connected to the standalone surname "Harry" or "Harold", rather than MacHenry.
Famous people with the name MacHenry
- Ryan MacHenry: an American writer, director, producer, and actor. He is best known for his short film Moving On, which won the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series in 2020.
- Harry MacHenry: a former English cricketer who played for Nottinghamshire between 1947 and 1962.
- Gary MacHenry: an American singer, songwriter, and producer. He has produced multiple platinum-selling albums, including albums for CeeLo Green, Robyn, and Justin Timberlake.
- Michael MacHenry: an American actor, best known for his roles in films such as The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
- Barbara MacHenry: a Scottish author and playwright. Her works include The Princess and the Goblin and various other plays and stories.
- Martin MacHenry: an American vocalist and musical theater performer. He has performed lead roles in shows including Hairspray and The Producers.
- Tommy MacHenry: a professional skateboarder and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Evolve Skateboards and has been featured on the covers of skate magazines such as Thrasher and Sidewalk Surfers.
- Billy MacHenry: an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2004 for the album Fly or Die, and he has worked with artists such as The Black Keys and The Flaming Lips.
- Pete MacHenry: a retired NASCAR driver. He raced in the Sprint Cup Series from 1979 to 1995, earning 22 top 5 finishes and 11 top 10 finishes.
- Katie MacHenry: an American singer and songwriter. She has released four albums, her most recent being 2011's Northern Lights.