McKinney is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from an Irish surname that means "fire chief" or "son of Chief." The name was brought to America by Irish immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The McKinney family, which originated in County Tyrone, Ireland, can trace its lineage back to the ancient Gaelic chieftains. The surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Cana, which means "son of Cana." In Irish mythology, Cana was a chief of the Connachta, one of the oldest and most powerful tribes in Ireland.
The name McKinney became popular in America after the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s, when many Irish immigrants fleeing the devastating famine settled in the United States. Today, McKinney is still primarily associated with Irish-American culture, but it has also gained popularity as a given name among people of various ethnic backgrounds who are drawn to its unique sound and meaning.
In terms of its history as a given name, McKinney is relatively new compared to many other names. It was not until the mid-20th century that McKinney began to appear with any frequency on birth certificates in the United States. Since then, however, it has gained a following among parents looking for distinctive and meaningful names for their children.
Overall, McKinney is a strong and powerful name with a rich history and deep meaning. It carries with it the weight of ancient Irish chieftains and the resilience of Irish immigrants who sought a better life in America. Whether given as a first or middle name, McKinney is sure to make a lasting impression on anyone who hears it.
The name Mckinney has had a unique journey in terms of its popularity over the years in the United States. With five recorded births each in the years 1917, 1928, 1934, and 1948, it appears that this name was quite uncommon during the early to mid-20th century.
However, there seems to be a resurgence of this name in recent times. After a long gap of over half a century, five births with the name Mckinney were recorded again in 2005. This trend continued in the following years, with another five births each in 2006 and 2011.
Overall, from 1917 to 2011, there have been a total of 35 births with the name Mckinney in the United States. While this number may not be remarkably high compared to many other names, it does show that Mckinney has maintained a consistent, albeit small, presence throughout the years.