Surname McKenzie - Meaning and Origin
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read moreMcKenzie: What does the surname McKenzie mean?
The last name McKenzie is of Scottish origin and means "son of Kenneth". It is derived from the Gaelic name "MacCoinnich". "Mac" refers to "son of" and "Coinnich" is a derivative of "Cainneach" or "Kenneth" in English. The first reported spelling of the family name, during the reign of King Kenneth II of Scotland, dates back to 1258. It is a patronymic name, meaning it is based on the name of a male ancestor, which was a common practice in Scottish and other Gaelic cultures. This surname is fairly common in countries with Scottish diaspora, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKenzie: Where does the name McKenzie come from?
The last name McKenzie is of Gaelic origin, derived from the Scottish clan Mackenzie, which originated in the Scottish Highlands. The name Mackenzie is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic MacCoinnich, which means "son of Kenneth". The clan dates back to the 14th century with its first known chief being Kenneth Mackenzie in the mid-1200s.
Today the surname McKenzie is common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to emigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, it remains most common in Scotland, particularly in areas where the Mackenzie clan was historically influential, such as Ross-shire and the Isle of Lewis. There is still a Mackenzie clan society active in Scotland, promoting the heritage of the clan and its descendants worldwide. So, the last name McKenzie still holds cultural significance and is still widely recognized in Scotland.
In addition, because of historical emigration and the spread of Scottish culture, the surname McKenzie can also be found in places like Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean which have a historical Scottish influence.
Variations of the surname McKenzie
The surname McKenzie originates from Scottish Gaelic, derived from the personal name Coinneach and the Gaelic word "Mac" meaning "son". Therefore, it translates to "son of Coinneach" or "son of the fair one". As with many names that have Gaelic origins, there are several spelling variations due to phonetic translations and regional dialects. These can include Mackenzie, Mckenzie, Mckenzy, Mckenney, Mckenny, Mackenzy and Mckensey.
Additionally, due to the common use of the prefix "Mac" or "Mc" in Scottish and Irish surnames, numerous other names are effectively similar in meaning but distinct in their specific origins. For instance, MacKenney, McKenna, or McKinney might be considered variants but are derived from different Gaelic personal names.
Furthermore, changes in spelling also happened when bearers of the name emigrated, leading to the creation of more variants in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This name can also be found as a first name, usually spelled Mackenzie or Mckenzie.
Overall, while McKenzie and its variants can be found in numerous forms, its Scottish origins and primary meaning remain constant.
Famous people with the name McKenzie
- Mackenzie Foy: American actress
- Calum McKenzie: British drummer for the rock band The Kooks
- Adam McKenzie: New Zealand professional rugby union player
- Kevin McKenzie: American ballet dancer and choreographer
- Tara MacKenzie: Canadian radio host and announcer
- Peter McKenzie: English actor
- Don McKenzie: Canadian politician
- Christina Mackenzie: Australian businesswoman
- John McKenzie: Canadian ice hockey player
- Jason McKenzie: South African professional golfer
- David McKenzie: British actor, screenwriter and director
- Peter MacKenzie: American television and film actor
- Lady Anne McKenzie: British peer and author
- Austin McKenzie: American actor
- Finlay MacKenzie: Scottish actor
- McKayla McKenzie: Canadian professional Alberta Ballet dancer
- George McKenzie: Scottish actor
- Andrew McKenzie: Australian international rugby player
- Alasdair MacKenzie: English television and film actor
- Dylan MacKenzie: American actor and model