Surname McKimn - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McKimn: What does the surname McKimn mean?
The last name McKimn is a Scottish toponymic surname derived from a placename in Moray, Scotland. The name McKimn is thought to have evolved from the combination of two Gaelic words, "mack," meaning son, and "camacan," meaning a bend of a river. This may suggest that the original bearer of the name lived near or on a bend of a river. The name also bears similarities to the surname McKinnon, derived from the same Gaelic roots.
The surname McKimn is also thought to originate from the first name Cynim, derived from the Latin “cynicus”, which means one of a certain sect of Greek philosophers who strongly criticized social institutions and customs. The name was later anglicized to McKimn.
One of the earliest confirmed records of the surname McKimn was that of William Mc Kinain of West Lothian, Scotland in 1587.
The name McKimn is found in many parts of the world today and most likely originated from Scottish immigration or settlement in foreign countries. It’s also a common surname in the United States, particularly in New England.
Overall, the surname McKimn has had a long history spanning Scotland to North America and other countries, and implies that the original bearer was of Scottish ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKimn: Where does the name McKimn come from?
The surname McKimn does not appear in most commonly recognized surname databases, including those that account for variations in spelling due to migration and translation. Therefore, it is likely a very rare last name, or a modern adaptation of a more traditional surname like McKim or McKinn or even Mackinnon.
The "Mc" or "Mac" prefix in the surname typically signifies Scottish or Irish heritage and means "son of." The second part of the name could refer to a characteristic, profession, or location related to the family's ancestry.
As for where it's common today, without specific data it's hard to say definitively. However, considering the Scottish or Irish roots suggested by the "Mc" prefix, you might find people carrying similar surnames in countries with substantial Irish and Scottish diasporas, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Still, as the surname McKimn is very rare, it might not be common anywhere.
Variations of the surname McKimn
The surname McKimn does not appear to be a common or extensively researched surname. It might be a misspelling or a variation of McKay, McKim, and McKimm. McKim is a Scottish surname, originally spelled MacKim, meaning "son of Kim." Variants of McKim include MacKim, MacKimm, MacKimme, MacKemme and others.
It may also be a variation of the surname McKeown, which is derived from the Gaelic Mac Eoghain, meaning "son of Eoghan." Variations include McKeon, McKewan, McKeown, Mckewan, and others.
Alternatively, it could have been altered when an ancestor emigrated, to sound more 'English', following a common practice among immigrants to anglicize surnames.
However, without further specifics such as geographical region or ethnic background, it's challenging to define all potential variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for McKimn.
Bear in mind that surname origins can be complex, often involving immigration, translation, and other factors that can alter original spellings and meanings. Comprehensive genealogical research is often required to definitively trace one's roots.
Famous people with the name McKimn
- Kimani McKimn, American television and film actor
- Angela McKimn, former Irish HE Minister
- Kenneth Eugene McKimn, former pastor and American author
- Paul McKimn, mayor of Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Roy Francis McKimn, former Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Philip McKimn, professional basketball player from Scotland
- John McKimn, former US Navy admiral
- Phil McKimn, American sportscaster, radio/television host, and satirist
- Robert McKimn, American author and professor of literature
- Bridgette McKimn, former Canadian synchronized swimmer
- Mac McKimn, former journalist and editor of The Irish Times newspaper
- Glen McKimn, former Scottish general practitioner and national politician