Meaning & History
MacKenny is a Scottish surname, a variant of McKenna. The name McKenna itself is an Anglicized form of the Irish and Scottish Mac Cionaodha, which derives from the Gaelic given name Cionaodh. This given name is composed of elements meaning “born of fire” or “born of love,” reflecting Gaelic naming traditions.
The spelling MacKenny represents a common variation in Scottish surnames, where the “k” doubling and slight orthographic shift occur as families adapted names to local dialects or record-keeping conventions. Closely related variants include MacKenna and McKinney, the latter also widespread in Ireland and Scotland. The original Gaelic form MacCionaodha remains in use to denote the same lineage.
- Meaning: “born of fire/love” via Mac Cionaodha
- Origin: Scottish, with Irish roots
- Type: Surname
- Variants: MacKenna, McKenna, McKinney, MacCionaodha
Related Names
Sources: Forebears — mackenny