Mackenley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Mackenley

What does the name Mackenley mean?

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the Mackenley family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the personal name Finlay. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Fionnlaigh, which means son of Finlay. Thus, Mackenley is a cognate of the surname Finlayson.

Early Origins of the Mackenley family

The surname Mackenley 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 Mackenley family

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

Mackenley Spelling Variations

In various documents Mackenley has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. MacKinley, MacKinlay, MacKindlay, MacKinly, MacKindley and many more.

Early Notables of the Mackenley family

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

Migration of the Mackenley family to Ireland

Some of the Mackenley 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.

Migration of the Mackenley family

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Mackenley or a variant listed above: Alexander, John and Richard McKinlay, who settled in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; Alexander, David, Denis, George, Hugh, James, John, Mary, Samuel, Thomas and William McKinley all arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1870.

The Mackenley 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.