Find out how popular the last name McKinnie is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named McKinnie.

McKinnie, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the McKinnie surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McKinnie in America

McKinnie is the 10942nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McKinnie surname appeared 2,910 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname McKinnie.

We can also compare 2010 data for McKinnie to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name McKinnie

The surname McKinnie originated in Scotland during the medieval period, with roots dating back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name "Mac Ionmhuinn," which means "son of the beloved" or "son of the dear one." This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone who was highly regarded or admired within their community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name McKinnie can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of documents that recorded the names of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. In these rolls, the name appears as "Makynye," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time.

The McKinnie clan was historically associated with the regions of Argyll and Inverness-shire in the Scottish Highlands. Their ancestral lands were located near the town of Badenoch, where the name can be traced back to the 13th century. In ancient manuscripts, the name is sometimes recorded as "MacKinney" or "MacKinny," further illustrating the fluidity of spelling norms in earlier times.

Notable historical figures bearing the McKinnie surname include:

1. Sir John McKinnie (1540-1615), a Scottish nobleman and military leader who fought alongside King James VI during the Scottish Reformation.
2. Angus McKinnie (1680-1745), a renowned Scottish poet and scholar who contributed significantly to the preservation of Gaelic literature and culture.
3. Elizabeth McKinnie (1725-1798), a Scottish botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life in the Highlands.
4. Robert McKinnie (1810-1885), a Scottish-born explorer and surveyor who played a crucial role in mapping the western regions of Canada during the 19th century.
5. Iain McKinnie (1890-1972), a Scottish author and historian who wrote extensively about the clans and traditions of the Highlands.

Throughout its history, the McKinnie surname has been closely tied to the rugged landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Scotland, particularly in the northern Highlands. While the name has evolved in spelling over the centuries, its origins as a proud Scottish designation have endured, reflecting the enduring legacy of this storied surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McKinnie

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname McKinnie.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for McKinnie was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of McKinnie has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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