Show ContentsMacKechny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of MacKechny

What does the name MacKechny mean?

MacKechny comes from the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It was a name for a person who worked as a /the personal names Eachan and Eochaidh. The Gaelic form of the name is usually Mac Eachainn, meaning son of Eachan. However, The surnames MacGeachie, MacGeachy, and MacKeachie are derived from the Irish surname Mag Eachaidh, an Ulster variant of Mag Eochadha, which means son of Eochaidh. 1

Early Origins of the MacKechny family

The surname MacKechny was first found in Knoydart, where they were a sept of the MacDonalds, descended from Hector (Gaelic Eachann,) second son of Roderick MacDonald, 3rd of Moydart and Clanranald. 2

Early History of the MacKechny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKechny research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1686, 1694, 1711, 1715, 1745 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacKechny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacKechny Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name MacKechny include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include McEachan, McGeachan, McKechnie, McGeachie and many more.

Early Notables of the MacKechny family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacKechny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacKechny family to Ireland

Some of the MacKechny family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacKechny family

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the MacKechny family emigrate to North America: Joseph MaKecky (McGeachie), who arrived in Virginia in 1756; Thomas McKeachie, on record in America in 1797; Thomas McKeachy, who was in Ontario in 1844.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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