McKinlay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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The McKinlay family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name McKinlay is derived from the personal name Finlay. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Fionnlaigh, which means son of Finlay. Thus, McKinlay is a cognate of the surname Finlayson.

Early Origins of the McKinlay family

The surname McKinlay 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 the surname is still commonly found around Glenlyon and Balquhidder. The earliest known record of the name is from 1493, when Gillaspyk M'Kynlay witnessed legal proceedings involving Archibald, Earl of Argyll.

Early History of the McKinlay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKinlay research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1511, 1675, 1700 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McKinlay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKinlay Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. McKinlay has been written as MacKinley, MacKinlay, MacKindlay, MacKinly, MacKindley and many more.

Early Notables of the McKinlay family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McKinlay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McKinlay family to Ireland

Some of the McKinlay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKinlay migration to the United States +

The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name McKinlay or a variant listed above include:

McKinlay Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Neil McKinlay, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 1

McKinlay Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John McKinlay, aged 55, who landed in New York, NY in 1812-1813 1
Peter McKinlay, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1830 1
Janet McKinlay, who arrived in America in 1832 1
Alexander, John and Richard McKinlay, who, who settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860

McKinlay migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McKinlay Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Donald McKinlay, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
John McKinlay, aged 2, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
Margaret McKinlay, aged 32, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815
Margaret McKinlay, aged 4, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Favourite" in 1815

McKinlay migration to Australia +

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

McKinlay Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Robert McKinlay, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Emily" in 1849 2
William McKinlay, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sultana" in 1850 3
Mr. William Mckinlay, (b. 1831), aged 17, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Bangalore" on 1st January 1850, arriving in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia 4
William McKinlay, aged 21, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Sultana" 3
Mr. James McKinlay, Scottish convict who was convicted in Stirling, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Cornwall" on 28th February 1851, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKinlay migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McKinlay Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George McKinlay, aged 36, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Fanny McKinlay, aged 35, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Rosanna McKinlay, aged 17, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Mary McKinlay, aged 16, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Rodger McKinlay, aged 14, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McKinlay (post 1700) +

John Dickinson McKinlay (1932-2013), American Olympic silver medalist rower in the 1956 Olympics, participant in the 1952 Olympics, twin brother to "Art" McKinlay
Adeline McKinlay, American tennis player
Arthur "Art" Frank McKinlay (1932-2009), American Olympic silver medalist rower in the 1956 Olympics, participant in the 1952 Olympics, twin brother to John Dickson McKinlay
William J. McKinlay, American Republican politician, Delegate to South Carolina State Constitutional Convention from Orangeburg County, 1868; Member of South Carolina State House of Representatives, 1868-69 6
Robert W. McKinlay, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1920 6
John McKinlay, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 7th District, 1900 6
Duncan E. McKinlay (1862-1914), American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for California, 1896; U.S. Representative from California 2nd District, 1905-11 6
William Alexander McKinlay (b. 1969), Scottish former footballer and current coach
Adam Storey McKinlay (1887-1950), Scottish Labour Party politician, Member of Parliament for Glasgow Partick (1929-1931), for Dunbartonshire (1941–1950) and for West Dunbartonshire in 1950
John Robert Vickers McKinlay (1928-2003), Scottish international speedway rider 7
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the McKinlay family +

The McKinlay 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: Amo
Motto Translation: I love.