Surname Mc Elhenny - Meaning and Origin
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Mc Elhenny: What does the surname Mc Elhenny mean?
The surname Mc Elhenny is of Irish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic surname "Mac Giolla Chainnigh," which means "son of the servant of St. Canice." This surname particularly originates from the areas of Donegal and Derry in Northern Ireland. The St. Canice referred to in the meaning is a 6th-century Irish bishop, also known as St. Kenny or St. Kenny, who was one of the twelve Apostles of Ireland. It's important to note that variations of the surname can be found due to the different pronunciations and Anglicization, including McElhinney, McIlhenny, McIlhinney, and others. Like many surnames that originated from patronymic, occupational, or personal characteristic traditions, Mc Elhenny offers a historical snapshot into the lineage and heritage of the family members who carry it.
Order DNA origin analysisMc Elhenny: Where does the name Mc Elhenny come from?
The surname Mc Elhenny is of Irish origin. The prefix "Mc" or "Mac" means "son of," which was often attached to the father's name to create a family surname in Irish tradition. The name Elhenny could possibly be derived from a personal name or a specific location in Ireland. There are different variations of the spelling, including McElhenney, McIlhenny, and McElhiney.
The details regarding the specific geographic or historical origin of the name Mc Elhenny within Ireland remain unclear. However, the name is predominantly found in County Donegal in the Ulster region of Northern Ireland, indicating its likely origin there.
Today, the surname can be found among the Irish diaspora worldwide, particularly in nations like the United States, Canada, and Australia which have significant populations of Irish descent. It may not be extraordinarily common, but it's recognized and best known due to notable figures like Rob McElhenney, an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter best known for his role in the sitcom "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."
Variations of the surname Mc Elhenny
The surname Mc Elhenny is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Chainnigh, meaning "son of the servant of Cano" (an old personal name). It can have several variants and spellings due to different phonetic interpretations and translations over time and across regions. Some include: McElhinney, McElhiney, McIlhinney, McIlhenny, McElhenney, McElhenny, McIlhenney, McAlhinney, and McAlhenney.
These phonetic spellings are also found without the prefix “Mc” or its variant “Mac,” such as: Elhenny, Elhinney, Elhenney, Ilhinney, Ilhenny, and Alhinney. The surname can also be Anglicized into different forms like Gilkinney or Wilkinson.
Sometimes, due to transcription errors in historical documents or personal rebranding, significantly different spellings have also come into use, such as Mackelhenny, Mackilhenny or Mackelhiney. It's also possible that some families simplified their names to Henny, Henney or Kinney.
In terms of distribution, the McElhinney variant seems to be the most popular, particularly in its native County Donegal, Ireland, and it is also common among Irish diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Mc Elhenny
- Joe McElhenny: professional football player during the 1920s
- Mike McElhenny: Irish-American water polo player
- Joanne McElhenny: American jazz singer
- Jim McElhenny: American actor and film director
- Frank McElhenny: Gaelic football player
- James McElhenny: US soccer player
- Jack McElhenny: British rugby player
- Sean McElhenny: Irish professional rugby player
- Kevin McElhenny: American water polo player
- Robert McElhenny: American college football coach
- Paul McElhenny: Australian soccer player
- Dara McElhenny: Irish camogie player
- Martha McElhenny: American actress
- Neil McElhenny: Australian soccer player
- Alex McElhenny: Canadian figure skater
- Ryan McElhenny: American mixed martial arts fighter
- Pete McElhenny: American basketball player
- Shannon McElhenny: Irish camogie player
- Michael McElhenny: British boxer
- Jay McElhenny: American mixed martial artist