MacKness History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

MacKness comes from the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland's west coast and Hebrides islands. The name comes from the personal name Naos, which is a dialectal form of Aonghus or Angus. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Neis, which is derived from the earlier form Mac Naois; both of these mean son of Angus. Thus, the name MacKness is a cognate of MacAngus and MacInnes.

Early Origins of the MacKness family

The surname MacKness was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the MacKness family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKness research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1522 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacKness History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacKness Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years MacKness has appeared as MacNeish, MacNeice, MacNish, MacNess, MacKness, MacNeece and many more.

Early Notables of the MacKness family

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

Migration of the MacKness family to Ireland

Some of the MacKness family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacKness migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

MacKness Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Mackness, English convict from Huntingdon, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 1

The MacKness Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Animo non astutia
Motto Translation: By courage, not by craft.

Citations +

State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823