Surname McKnely - Meaning and Origin
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McKnely: What does the surname McKnely mean?
The last name McKnely is of Scottish origin. This surname originated as a patronymic name derived from the personal name Kenneth, which has been Anglicized to McKinley. The prefix "Mc" in Scottish and Irish surnames usually signifies "son of". Hence, McKnely or McKinley can translate to "son of Kenneth". The name Kenneth is of Gaelic origin (Gaelic "Cinaed" or "Cionaed") and it means "born of fire" or "fire-head". These variations of the surname are common in Scotland and Ireland due to the migration of people and the fact that the spelling of names often changed over time and across regions. McKnely is not a common last name in Scotland or anywhere else today. Those bearing the name can potentially trace their lineage back to Kenneth, the ancient King of Scotland. However, the direct interpretation and meaning of the surname can vary based on the family's historical roots. In summary, the last name McKnely generally signifies "son of born of fire" or "son of fire-head".
Order DNA origin analysisMcKnely: Where does the name McKnely come from?
The surname McKnely is of Scottish origin. It's derived from a place name, specifically the lands of "Mac an Fhleisdeir" in the former county of Perthshire, which is in central Scotland. The name translates to "son of the arrow-maker," indicating that the original bearers likely had that occupation. Variations of this surname include McKinley, McKinlay, McKinleigh, and MacKinley.
Today, the surname has been dispersed worldwide due to migration, and is most common in countries that saw significant Scottish immigration. These countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States in particular, the surname was widely dispersed, but it’s found in slightly higher concentrations in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York because these areas were popular destinations for Scottish immigrants during the 18th and 19th centuries. Still, despite its spread, McKnely is not a particularly common surname in any country.
Remember that due to the nature of genealogy and name changes throughout history, the exact origins and concentrations may vary.
Variations of the surname McKnely
The surname McKnely is of Scottish and Irish origin and can be variantly spelled as McKinley, MacKinley, MacKinlay, McKinlay, McKinnell, and MacKinnell. The prefixes "Mc", "Mac", and "Mck" are typically of Gaelic origin, meaning "son of." Consequently, the name "McKnely" or its variants can be interpreted as "son of Finley" or "son of Fionnlagh."
Presidential surnames also often get misspelled, and McKinley is no exception, especially because it was the surname of the 25th U.S. President, William McKinley. Although the most common spelling of the name in America is "McKinley," alternative spellings like "McKinlay" and "MacKinley" are also occasionally seen.
In some cases, these variances might be due to either transcription errors or Anglicization of the original Gaelic name. For example, in the early 20th century, many Irish and Scottish immigrants to the U.S. changed the spellings of their surnames to make them sound more 'American'. Therefore, different branches of the same family might use slightly different spellings of their common surname today.
It's important to remember that the variation in these names represents the rich historical and cultural tapestry from which they originate.
Famous people with the name McKnely
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- Jack McKenley: British sculptor, textile artist and printmaker.
- Edward McKenley: American playwright and director.
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- Gavin McKenley: Canadian film director and cinematographer.
- Kendra McKenley: former professional American football player. 10. Rowan McKenley: British Olympic swimmer and World Champion.
- Emma McKenley: British Paralympic equestrian athlete.
- Ryan McKenley: former professional American footballer.
- Neal McKenley: American actor and comedian.
- Logan McKenley: New Zealand actor, director, and playwright.
- Michaela McKenley: Canadian actress, singer, and dancer.