McKenney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the McKenney family relocated to North American shores quite early:

McKenney Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Coul McKenney, who arrived in Virginia in 1716 2

McKenney Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John McKenney, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1812 2
• Anthony McKenney, aged 51, who landed in Maryland in 1812 2
• Samuel McKenney, aged 49, who arrived in Maine in 1812 2
• Paul McKenney, who landed in New York in 1826 2
• William McKenney, aged 29, who landed in Harford County, Maryland in 1833 2
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McKenney Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Jacob McKenney, who landed in Canada in 1834
• William McKenney, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1871 3

McKenney Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Mckenney, (b. 1815), aged 23, Irish labourer who was convicted in Londonderry, Ireland for 7 years for assault, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 11th May 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4

• Joseph "Joe" McKenney, American head coach of the Boston College football program (1928 to 1934)
• Devon McKenney (b. 1984), American professional soccer player from North Olmsted, Ohio
• James Felix McKenney (b. 1968), American writer, director, producer and actor
• Ruth McKenney (1911-1972), American author and journalist, best remembered for My Sister Eileen
• Todd McKenney (b. 1965), Australian dancer, theatre performer and TV personality, best known as a judge on Australian television talent show Dancing with the Stars.
• Henry William McKenney (1848-1917), Canadian politician, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta (1905-1917)
• Donald Hamilton "Don" McKenney (1934-2022), Canadian NHL ice hockey forward and coach who played for the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues