Surname MacInerney - Meaning and Origin
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MacInerney: What does the surname MacInerney mean?
The last name MacInerney is of Irish origin and has two distinct meanings. The first is derived from an Anglicization of a Gaelic title, Mac Conaire, a patronymic name meaning "son of Conaire", which is associated with Conaire Mor, the mythical High King of Ireland. The second is derived from Mac an Airchinnigh, which is a descriptive name meaning “son of the one in charge of the silver.”
The earliest occurrences of the name in Irish records date to the late 1800s, when it was first found around the Clare coast. In the Catholic Parish of Kilmaley the name is quite common, and it is also found in the western and northern parts of Co. Clare.
In the centuries since then, the name has spread around the world. There are MacInerney families throughout the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The name is often associated with strong leadership, with the Mac Connaire ancestry indicating an aptitude for governance and management, while the Mac an Airchinnigh origin indicates a particular strength in financial skills and acumen. In modern times, those bearing the name often exhibit a unique combination of intelligence, ambition, and drive.
Order DNA origin analysisMacInerney: Where does the name MacInerney come from?
The last name MacInerney is quite a common name today primarily in Ireland as well as in parts of the United States.
In Ireland, the name is thought to have originated in County Limerick, where the name was first recorded in Medieval Irish documents. MacInerney is an Anglicized version of the Dalcassian Irish surname of Mac an Airchinnigh, which means “son of the descendant of Airchinnigh”, a personal name derived from the Irish word “Airceann”, which means “mask”.
It is thought that the first members of the MacInerney clan were descended from the Uí Fidgiente tribe, who were a prominent group in County Limerick in the 12th Century. Today, most MacInerney's are based in Limerick, Dublin, and Galway in Ireland.
In the United States, the last name MacInerney is especially common in states such as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and California. The name was originally brought to the U.S. by Irish immigrants in the 19th Century. The city of Boston, Massachusetts is often seen as the center of the Irish-American population, and today there is said to be more people of Irish ancestry living there than any other place in the world, so a large number of MacInerney's also call the city home.
Overall, the last name MacInerney is quite commonplace today and its prevalence is likely to continue in the coming years.
Variations of the surname MacInerney
MacInerney is an Irish surname that originated from the Gaelic Mac an Iongaire, which means “son of the doctor”. The spelling of the surname can vary from MacInerney to MacInnery to MacInnery and also MacInery. It has been adopted by non-Irish surnames, such as McKinnerney, McKinney, MacKinnery, MacKenerry, and MacKaughan. Typically, the double “n” in the surname is omitted when it is spelled as MacInery, although this is not always the case.
Depending on the region, different variants of the MacInerney surname can be found. In Scotland the surnames MackInerney, McInnerney, and McKenny are all related to the MacInerney surname. In Northern Ireland Mcennary and MacCennary are variants, although these could have originated from MacEnirney. In the United States MacInarney, MacIneiry, and MacKinnery are all common variants.
By tracing the pedigree and truly understanding the origins of the surname, the different spellings can be better understood and potentially traced back to those in Ireland in the 1600s and 1700s. However, as with most changes in surnames over time, the variations may be the result of phonetic spellings over the generations or influenced by regional dialects.
It is not uncommon to find variations of the MacInerney surname, as many individuals have adopted it as their own. This is an important reminder of how Irish names have been adopted by different surnames over time, however still reflecting the culture and origins of the MacInerney surname.
Famous people with the name MacInerney
- Richard MacInerney: Actor known for his roles on Full House and Home Improvement.
- Peter MacInerney: Editor and Producer. Co-founder of Power Station Pictures.
- Brigid MacInerney: Retired Irish actress known for her role in The American Clock.
- Jack MacInerney: Actor and voice artist.
- Eliza MacInerney: Actress known for her role as Gwen on Survivorman: Australia.
- Patty MacInerney: Actress and stage comedian. Best known for her roles on That '70s Show and Saturday Night Live.
- Marcus MacInerney: Actor and musician. He is best known for his roles in films such as The Great Outdoors and Speed.
- Paul MacInerney: film and television director known for his role as assistant director in TV shows like Jericho and Saved by the Bell.
- Rupert MacInerney: Actor and producer known for his work in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! and Maximum Conviction.
- Balthazar MacInerney: Actor and writer. His recent work includes roles in films such as Captive and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.