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Surname MacKenniff - Meaning and Origin

all surnames with 'M'

MacKenniff: What does the surname MacKenniff mean?

The last name MacKenniff is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Cionnaith, with the variation being MacCheanfhaidh. The Mac Cionnaith family or clan were descended from a sept of the Connacht province of Ireland. Generally, in Ireland, most surnames are taken from a family's first name, trade or a physical attribute.

The MacKenniffs are believed to have originated in the south of County Mayo in the Irish province of Connacht, where Mac Cionnaith is still quite a common surname today. The root of the name is from the Gaelic words Mac (son/descendant of) and Cionnaith (given to him).

The Mac Cionnaith clan or family is believed to have descended from Eoghan Mór, the son of Oilioll Olum, the first High King of Ireland. The clan was originally located in East Galway and Mayo.

The Mac Kenniffs have spread throughout the world, with many found in North America, including the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. The name also has many variations, for example, Mac Keniffe and Mac Kiniffe.

In Irish culture, the Mac Kenniffs have become iconic, with the name being used in various Irish sports teams and popular culture references. The name is also embraced by Irish culture and is often referred to with pride.

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MacKenniff: Where does the name MacKenniff come from?

The last name MacKenniff is not particularly common today, but there are a few areas where it is found more frequently.

In the United States, the last name is mainly concentrated in the state of New York, and is most commonly found in the counties of Albany, Erie, and Kings. In Canada, MacKenniff is more sparsely spread and is mainly found in Ontario and British Columbia.

In Europe, there are particular clusters of MacKenniff in Ireland and Scotland. In Ireland, a significant number are found in counties Clare, Galway, Cork, and Dublin, while in Scotland, the most common concentrations are in the island of Skye and in the counties of Midlothian, Angus, and Fife.

If looking more widely, the last name can be found in countries such as the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, and Germany. It is usually found in small pockets in those countries, rather than spread across multiple regions and areas.

All in all, MacKenniff is not a particularly common last name globally, but there are a few areas where it is more prevalent.

Variations of the surname MacKenniff

MacKinniff is a surname of Irish origin. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for MacKinniff are as follows:

MacKiniff – This is the most commonly used variation of the spelling and as a result is the most commonly seen surname.

MacKinniffe – This is a rare spelling variation and is not seen as often.

MacKinnig – This is another rare spelling variation, often seen only in records of Ireland and Scotland.

MacKinnie – This is the most traditional form of the surname and is also the most recognisable. It is the oldest spelling of the name.

MacKee – This is another traditional spelling of the surname and can be seen in many different records including birth certificates, marriage records, cemetery records and more.

McLinn – This surname is derived from MacKinniff, however, it is spelled with an 'L' and can be seen as a variant of the same origin.

McKinniff – This surname is another variation of MacKinniff, however it is spelled differently with the inclusion of a 'C'.

MacCenniff – This variation of the surname is a combination of the traditional spelling and the 'L' variant.

McKenny – This is another variant of MacKinniff, however it includes the 'K' instead of a 'C'.

All of these variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin share the same roots as MacKinniff and are derived from the Irish surname. They all have the potential of being related to the same family, however, it is important to note that each spelling could potentially lead to different people and families altogether.

Famous people with the name MacKenniff

  • Samuel MacKenniff: Former professional baseball player for the Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers.
  • Michael MacKenniff: Former professional soccer player who played for the Philadelphia Union.
  • Gregory MacKenniff: Australian actor best known for his role in the TV series ‘SeaChange’.
  • Lianne MacKenniff: Singer-Songwriter who has released four solo albums.
  • Joseph MacKenniff: Scottish footballer who played for Clyde FC in the 1960s and 70s.
  • Finn MacKenniff: Actor who has appeared in films such as The Avengers and Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street.
  • Maureen MacKenniff: Canadian sculptor and painter best known for her abstract work.
  • Declan MacKenniff: Irish actor who has appeared in films such as The Commitment and Darby O’Gill and the Little People.
  • Niamh MacKenniff: Irish actress who has appeared in TV series such as ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ and ‘The Tudors’.
  • Paul MacKenniff: British actor and musician known for his lead role in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Other surnames

MacKennaMacKennanMacKenneyMacKennieMacKenny

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