Surname McKinzie - Meaning and Origin
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McKinzie: What does the surname McKinzie mean?
The last name McKinzie is of Scottish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "MacCoinnich," which means "Son of Coinneach." The given name Coinneach means "handsome" or "comely." Therefore, the surname indirectly suggests a reference to the descendant of a handsome or comely person. This surname has been variously spelled throughout centuries such as McKenzie, Mackenzie, Mckenzie, and so forth, which is common with names from Gaelic origin due to the translation between Gaelic and English alphabets. The clan MacKenzie from which this surname evolved holds a significant place in Scottish history with its roots in the Highlands. Noteworthy members have included warriors, nobles, and explorers. Furthermore, multiple families with this surname immigrated to North America, Australia, and New Zealand during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKinzie: Where does the name McKinzie come from?
The surname McKinzie is of Scottish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich, which translates as "Son of Coinneach” or "Son of the Fair One". The root name, Coinneach, was popular in the Highlands during the Middle Ages and hence, the surname is quite prevalent in that area, specifically in Ross-shire where the Clan McKenzie stemmed from.
Even though it originated in Scotland, the McKinzie surname has dispersed around the globe because of migration. Today, it is common in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Variations such as McKenzie, Mackenzie, or Mckenzie can also be frequently found in these English-speaking countries. This spread can be traced back to the Scottish emigrants who traveled to new worlds, taking their cultural heritage and names with them. Despite the varied spellings, the original lineage of the name ties back to the same Scottish origin.
Variations of the surname McKinzie
The surname McKinzie has origins in Scotland and Ireland. Variants include the more traditional Scottish spelling "MacKenzie" and the anglicized "McKenzie". In Gaelic, the name is spelled "MacCoinnich".
Both "MacKenzie" and "McKenzie" indicate a patronymic name, meaning "son of Coinnich” or "son of Kenneth". The "Mac" or "Mc" prefix means "son of," and "Kenzie" is derived from "Coinneach," which is Gaelic for Kenneth.
It's important to note that different spellings may have emerged due to variations in translation and phonetic spelling, particularly as family members emigrated to other countries and regions. Other possible variants could include "Mckenzie", "Mackenzie", "Mackinzey", "M'Kenzie", and "MacKensie", among others.
Similar surnames may also have been derived from the same Gaelic roots, such as MacCoinnigh, MacKenna, MacConechy, and MacKenney, but these are not considered direct variants of MacKenzie. The surnames of "Kenzie", "Kenneth", and "Kenny" could also possibly share the same origins, but it would require further genealogical research to confirm these connections.
Famous people with the name McKinzie
- Ben McKenzie: American actor best known for his roles in The O.C. and Gotham
- Pete McKinnie: American Jazz singer and guitarist
- Leon McKenzie: Former British professional boxer
- Luke McKinnie: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Mashonda Tifrere: R&B singer previously married to Swizz Beatz
- Chantel Jeffries: American DJ and model
- J.R. Mckee: American football player
- Thea Mckenzie: Canadian actress
- Hope Mckenzie: Canadian actress
- Quintin Mckenzie: British actor