MacKinaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Early Origins of the MacKinaw family

Early History of the MacKinaw family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKinaw research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1544 is included under the topic Early MacKinaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacKinaw Spelling Variations

Just like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the MacKinaw family name include MacKenna, MacKennagh, MacKenney, MacKenny, MacKinna, MacKinnie and many more.

Early Notables of the MacKinaw family

More information is included under the topic Early MacKinaw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacKinaw family

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name MacKinaw to North America: Andrew, Arthur, Charles, Edward, James, John, Michael, Owen, Patrick, Peter and Thomas McKenna all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; Alice, Daniel, James, John, Thomas and William McKenney settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.