Surname McKinney - Meaning and Origin

McKinney: What does the surname McKinney mean?

The surname McKinney is of Scottish and Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Coinnigh," which translates to "son of Coinneach" or "son of the fair born." Coinneach is an old Gaelic personal name, which is derived from "caoin," meaning "comely or fair." Thus, the surname can be interpreted as "descendant of the fair one" or "offspring of the handsome one." The name was likely originally given as a form of endearment or to distinguish between different families with the same name. The surname was first found in County Monaghan, located in the Republic of Ireland. McKinney remains a prevalent surname in both Scotland and Ireland today. It is also fairly common in the United States due to Scottish and Irish immigration.

McKinney: Where does the name McKinney come from?

The surname McKinney is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cionaodha," meaning "son of Cionaodh.” The name Cionaodh is a combination of two elements: "cion," which implies love or respect, and "Aodh," the name of a pagan god. Thus, the overall name signifies "beloved of Aodh" or "fire loved."

In the history of Ireland, there are separate clans of McKinneys in Donegal and Tyrone. The McKinneys of Donegal were known to be lords of Tirhugh, near Ballyshannon, until the 12th century. Meanwhile, in Tyrone, the McKinneys were a part of Cenel Fearadhaigh. Some members of the Tyrone McKinneys Anglicised their name to Coney.

Nowadays, the surname McKinney is more common in areas where people of Irish descent have traditionally settled. It is most common in the United States of America, particularly in Texas, California, and Ohio. The name's popularity also extends to Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom amongst others. Although the Irish diaspora has spread the name worldwide, the surname McKinney remains rooted in its Irish origins.

Variations of the surname McKinney

The surname McKinney has several variants and spellings, which often share its Irish origins. These variations are often due to region, historical phonetic spellings, and family adaptation.

Some common McKinney variants are Mackinney, Mckenny, and McKennie, which maintain the original pronunciation but feature different spellings. Some people may opt for MacKinney or MacKenny, featuring the traditional Gaelic "Mac" prefix meaning "son of." The simplified version - Kenny - is also fairly common and may come with a prefix, e.g., O’Kenny. Other variants might replace the "Mac" or "Mc" with "Mag," a common alternative prefix in Irish surnames, resulting in names like MagKinney or MagKenny.

Other versions may drop the "Mc" or "Mac" entirely, resulting in spellings like Kinney or Kenny. Other less common variants might include M’Kinney, Mackenny, or Mackenie.

It’s also worth noting that many of these names can feature minor spelling variations, such as single vs. double "n," or the inclusion/exclusion of the "e" in the suffix. Each of these variations is ultimately part of the diverse McKinney surname lineage.

Famous people with the name McKinney

• Katie McKinney: a Broadway dancer and singer known for performing in Spring Awakening, Mamma Mia or Broadway Bares.
• Mandy Moore: an American singer and actor, who rose to fame in 1999 with her debut single ‘Candy’.
• Tim McKinney: a country music artist who has been nominated for numerous awards.
• Mary McKinney: a professional actress and producer, best known for her performance in the movie ‘Bella’.
• Abbie Cornish: an Australian actress and singer who has appeared in films such as Sucker Punch, Limitless and Bright Star.
• Neil McKinney: a British comedian, writer and actor, who is best known for his performance in the TV series ‘The Aliens’.
• Ruben Studdard: an American R&B, gospel and pop singer, who won the second season of American Idol.
• Matthew Gray Gubler: an American actor, director, fashion model and painter best known for his performance as ‘Dr. Spencer Reid’ in the TV series ‘Criminal Minds’.
• Mckinney Lane: an American hip hop recording artist, who first gained recognition with his single ‘Chevy Music’.
• Taylor Kinney: an American actor and model, famous for his role in ‘Chicago Fire’, ‘Vampire Diaries’ and ‘Lethal Weapon’ series.

Other surnames

McKinnellMcKinnisMcKinnon