McKinstrey Surname History

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the McKinstrey family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. Their surname comes from the personal name Simon, or from Sim, which is a diminutive form of that name. The Gaelic forms of the name are Mac Shim, meaning son of Sim. or Mac Shimidh, meaning son of Simon.

Early Origins of the McKinstrey family

The surname McKinstrey was first found in the Isle of Bute, in western Scotland where they held lands anciently granted by the King of Scotland.

Early History of the McKinstrey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKinstrey research. Another 210 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1333, 1506, 1529, 1539, 1542, 1550, 1586, 1609, 1641 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McKinstrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKinstrey Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, McKinstrey has been spelled M'Shimis, M'Shimmie, M'Kimmie, M'Kim, M'Kym, M'Kymme, M'Shiomoun, M'Kin and many more.

Early Notables of the McKinstrey family

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

Migration of the McKinstrey family to Ireland

Some of the McKinstrey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKinstrey migration to the United States +

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name McKinstrey were among those contributors:

McKinstrey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

J E McKinstrey, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 1

McKinstrey migration to Australia +

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

McKinstrey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Agnes McKinstrey, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Navarino" in 1837 2
James McKinstrey, aged 18, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Navarino" 3

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) NAVARINO 1837. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1837Navarino.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) NAVARINO 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Navarino.htm