The surname Mackennan is of Irish origin, but it is definitely of Scottish and Gaelic descent. It is derived from "Mac Fhionnain," which translates to "son of the offspring of the fair one," and may be a nickname referring to an early Viking "settler" of the 9th century AD. The surname is a very early record in Scotland, with the earliest Irish records (almost always without the prefix "Mac") dating back to the 17th century and generally found in areas of Ireland most associated with "plantation" politics.
The name Mackennan is often confused with Kinane and Keenan in Ireland, but actually has nothing to do with either, except for misspelling! The famous Irish etymologist MacLysaght claims that the name was originally prominent in the counties of Monaghan and Armagh, and that Kennan was the main surname in the Barony of Ardee in Co. Louth in the 1659 census. Despite this, the earliest records are found elsewhere, including Joanna Kennan, who married Thomas Mc Gee on October 20, 1681, in Derry Cathedral, Templemore, and Thomas Kennan, a witness in St. Catherine's Church, Dublin on January 1, 1703. On December 2, 1737, Anne Kenan married Andrew Harkness in Antrim, while Rose Kennan and her two sons Francis, 18 years old, and Edward, 16 years old, left Ireland on the ship "Nonantum of Liverpool" for New York on April 18 of that year.
The earliest recorded spelling of the surname is that of Malcolm KcKenyn, dated 1367, who was a juror at the court of Dumfries, Scotland during the reign of King David II of Scotland, 1329-1371. Surnames became necessary as governments introduced a poll tax on individuals. Over the centuries, surnames have continued to evolve in all countries, often leading to remarkable variations of the original spelling.
In conclusion, the Mackennan surname has deep roots in both Scottish and Gaelic history, with connections to early Viking settlers and a presence in both Scotland and Ireland over the centuries. Despite initial confusion with similar-sounding surnames, the Mackennan name retains a unique identity that reflects its rich historical origins.
1. MacLysaght, E. (1985). The Surnames of Ireland. Irish Academic Press.
2. Black, G. F. (1946). The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. New York Public Library.
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