McKenna is an Irish surname. It derives from the Gaelic name Cináed (Anglicized as Kenneth), meaning, “born of fire.” It is the anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Cionaodha meaning "son of Cionnaith", or of the Scottish surname, from Galloway, "MacCionaodha".[1]

The historical lineage of the McKennas lies in Scotland, but perhaps also Truagh, County Monaghan, Ulster, Ireland, where they were "The Lords Of Truagh". In North Kerry, McKenna is considered to come from Mac Ginea. The Cionnath, Cionaoith, Cionaddha forms are considered there to be sources of names like Kenny, Kenney, and Kennedy. A similar Irish surname Ó Cionaodha, also spelt as Ó Cionnaith.

The name is also sometimes used as a given name. This is a list of notable people with this name.

Surname

Given name

Fictional characters

See also

References

  1. Black, George Fraser; Library, New York Public (1946). "The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History – George Fraser Black – Google Books". Retrieved 26 April 2016.
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