Show ContentsMacKenna History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The original Gaelic form of MacKenna was Mac Cionaoith.

Early Origins of the MacKenna family

The surname MacKenna was first found in County Monaghan (Irish: Muineachán) located in the Northern part of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Ulster, at Truagh where they were known as the Lords of Truagh.

Early History of the MacKenna family

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

MacKenna Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of the surname MacKenna can be found in the archives. One reason for these variations is that ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. The different spellings that were found include MacKenna, MacKennagh, MacKenney, MacKenny, MacKinna, MacKinnie and many more.

Early Notables of the MacKenna family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

  • General John MacKenna


Australia MacKenna migration to Australia +

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

MacKenna Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Ann Mackenna, (b. 1809), aged 25 who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Edward" on 23rd April 1834, arriving in Tasmania, (Van Diemen's Land) 1
  • Mr. Charles Mackenna, (b. 1819), aged 26, English soldier who was convicted in Coventry, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 30th June 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island), he died 1875 2

Contemporary Notables of the name MacKenna (post 1700) +

  • Siobhan MacKenna, Irish Actress
  • Sir Bernard MacKenna, High Court Judge
  • Robert MacKenna, Dermatologist


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th January 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/edward
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian


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