McKinney

An Irish surname of Antrim. In the 2010 US census it was carried by 83,616 people, the 377th most common surname in the country.

Ó Cionaodha, Ó Cionaoith, descendant of Cionaodh (fire-sprung). This family stood in Co. Galway, Co. Roscommon, and Co. Tyrone.

Where the name comes from

Ó Cionaodha is descendant of Cionaodh, the fire-sprung, and it covers several distinct families in different parts of Ireland. In the 16th century it was common in all parts of Leinster and Munster and in Galway, Roscommon and Tyrone. Kinna, Kinney, Kenna and Kenny all come out of it.

The Giant's Causeway at twilight with wet hexagonal basalt columns stretching to the sea and long exposure blurred waves
The Giant's Causeway, Co. Antrim

Antrim, photographed

Photographs made in Antrim.

Antrim

The Antrim coast road runs about 25 miles between the cliffs and the sea, with nine glens coming down to it. The rock is basalt, the same flow that formed the Giant's Causeway. Scotland is 12 miles off at the narrowest point and visible on a clear day.

The iconic Dark Hedges beech tree tunnel near Armoy in County Antrim with intertwined branches forming a brooding canopyThe Dark Hedges, Co. Antrim Co. Antrim Long exposure of Pan's Rock with its footbridge at dawn on the Antrim Causeway Coast, silky water and blurred clouds, Rathlin Island on the horizonPan's Rock, Co. Antrim Co. Antrim Sunrise over Colliery Bay with Fair Head cliffs and mountains, Co. Antrim, fine art landscape photograph by Peter CoxColliery Bay & Fair Head, Co. Antrim Co. Antrim Dunluce Castle on coastal cliffs with long exposure sea, Co. Antrim, fine art landscape photograph by Peter CoxDunluce Castle, Co. Antrim Co. Antrim Black and white photograph of a rainstorm sweeping across the Skerries islands off the North Antrim coast near PortrushRainstorm, the Skerries, Co. Antrim Co. Antrim Sunset over Bengore Head with waves rolling over rocks, Co. Antrim, Ireland — fine art landscape photograph by Peter CoxBengore Head, Co. Antrim Co. Antrim Sunset over the Skerries coast in County Antrim with warm light reflecting on wet sand and rock formationsThe Skerries, Co. Antrim Co. Antrim

All Antrim prints

Notable bearers

Cynthia McKinney (born 1955), politician, peace activist, and academic staff.

Charlotte McKinney (born 1993), actor, model, and Internet celebrity.

Richard McKinney (born 1953), archer.

Tamara McKinney (born 1962), alpine skier.

Nina Mae McKinney (1912-1967), actor, singer, and dancer.

About this page

The counties on this page are where the name was thickest on the ground in Ireland a century and a half ago, not a claim about any one family. Names moved around inside the country as much as they left it. The photographs are mine, made in the counties named.

More Irish surnames: Smith · Brown · Miller · Wilson · Anderson · Thomas · Taylor · Moore · Jackson · Martin · Lee · Thompson

How common the name was

In 1890, 42 births were registered under McKinney in Ireland, most of them in Antrim and Tyrone.

Ulster 42
Connacht no figure printed
Leinster no figure printed
Munster no figure printed
Ireland 42

Tyrone is the one I haven't worked in.