Mckinney first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Mckinney has been for the last 16 years (from 2005 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Mckinney

Scottish surname transferred to a masculine given name of uncertain meaning.

Popularity of Mckinney by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Mckinney is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 72% of people named Mckinney being female.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mckinney.

Year Male Count Female Count
2020 0 5
2018 0 5
2017 0 5
2016 0 5
2012 0 6
2011 5 0
2009 0 5
2006 5 0
2005 5 7

The history of the first name Mckinney

The given name Mckinney has its roots in the Scottish and Irish cultures, with origins dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "cionaoith" meaning "handsome" or "comely," suggesting the name may have originally referred to a good-looking individual.

The earliest recorded use of the name Mckinney can be traced back to the 13th century in Scotland, where it appeared in various historical records and documents. It was particularly prevalent in the Highlands and Isles regions of Scotland, where many clans and families adopted the name.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Mckinney was Sir William Mckinney, a Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century. He was lauded for his bravery and loyalty to the Scottish cause.

In the 16th century, the name Mckinney gained prominence in Ireland, particularly in the northern counties of Ulster and Donegal. This is likely due to the close cultural and linguistic ties between the Scottish Highlands and parts of Ireland during that period.

Another historically significant bearer of the name Mckinney was Reverend John Mckinney, an Irish Presbyterian minister who lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was known for his influential sermons and writings on theology and church governance.

In the 19th century, the name Mckinney crossed the Atlantic with Scottish and Irish immigrants who settled in various parts of North America. One notable figure was William Mckinney, a Canadian politician and businessman who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the mid-1800s.

Another prominent individual with the name Mckinney was James Mckinney, an American Civil War soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. His acts of valor and sacrifice continue to be celebrated in military history.

Throughout its history, the name Mckinney has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, writers, educators, and political leaders. While its origins can be traced back to Scotland and Ireland, the name has since spread across the globe, reflecting the rich cultural diversity and migration patterns of its bearers.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mckinney was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mckinney, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Mckinney first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 17, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/mckinney-meaning-and-history/.

"Mckinney first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/mckinney-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 17 August, 2025

Mckinney first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/mckinney-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.