Surname McKinnis - Meaning and Origin
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McKinnis: What does the surname McKinnis mean?
The surname McKinnis is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Aonghais', which translates to 'Son of Angus'. Angus is a traditional Scottish given name bearing roots in Celtic mythology, and it means 'one choice'. Therefore, the name McKinnis could be interpreted as 'Son of the chosen one'. Variations of the surname include MacInnes, McInnes, MacKinnis, McGinnis, and more. As with many surnames of Gaelic origin, this surname was first found in Scotland, more specifically the Hebrides islands and the west coast. It emphasizes the familial, patriarchal lineage based naming conventions primarily used by Scottish and Irish cultures. Current bearers of the surname McKinnis may have ancestors who belonged to the Clan MacInnes. However, use of the surname doesn't always indicate clan affiliation as it could also have been adopted by someone residing near a family of the McKinnis name. Please note that variations in spelling and exact interpretations can occur due to the complex and fluid nature of language, translation, and historical record-keeping practices.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKinnis: Where does the name McKinnis come from?
The surname McKinnis is of Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name Mac Aonghuis, which translates to "son of Angus". The name Angus is formed from the elements "Aonghus," meaning "one," and "gus," meaning "choice." Hence, it implies the "son of the chosen one." This surname indicates familial heritage linking to the descendants of the Scottish Clan MacInnes, who emerged as a powerful family in ancient Scotland, and its branches spread over several regions.
Today, individuals with the last name McKinnis are found largely in the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to migration from Scotland during the 17th and 18th centuries caused by political and economical hardships. It's notably common in regions with historical Scottish immigration such as the US states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, and the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and Ontario. Evidence of the surname in the UK and Scotland still exists but not in the same concentrations as those observed in North America and Australia. Even with these global distributions, it is not a vastly common surname.
Variations of the surname McKinnis
The surname McKinnis is a variant derivation of the original Scottish name MacInnes. This surname is predominantly traced back to Gaelic origins, specifically from the term "Mac Aonghuis" which translates to "son of Angus." Other variant spellings, depending on the geographical location and historical context, include: McInnis, MacInnis, MacInnes, Makinney, McKinnies, McKennis, McInness, McKinna, and McKynes.
Some surnames of similar origin are those beginning with "Mac" or "Mc", denoting patronymic surnames from Gaelic culture. These might include names such as MacDonald, MacGregor, McKinley, McIntosh, or McCabe.
It is important to note that with the passage of time and the translation between languages and cultures, the spelling of surnames often changed to fit the phonetic or orthographic rules of the new environment. Hence the multitude of variations that can exist today for an original surname, such as McKinnis. In the end, the certain variants, spelling, and surnames may differ due to numerous factors including but not limited to geographical location, linguistic interpretation, or personal choice.
Famous people with the name McKinnis
- James McKinnis: Professional American Wrestler
- W. McKinnis: American football player in 1999
- Richard McKinnis: American actor and stuntman
- Kelly McKinnis: American actress
- Bobby McKinnis: Professional basketball player
- Leo McKinnis: American singer-songwriter
- Michael McKinnis: Professional skateboarder
- Alison McKinnis: American television personality
- Grant McKinnis: English actor known for his roles in Dash & Lily and The F-Word
- Gary McKinnis: American soccer player who played in the North American Soccer League