Show ContentsMackin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Mackin

What does the name Mackin mean?

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the Mackin family were born. Their name 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 Mackin family

The surname Mackin 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 Mackin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mackin 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 Mackin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mackin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Mackin 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 Mackin family

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

Mackin Ranking

In the United States, the name Mackin is the 10,877th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Mackin family to Ireland

Some of the Mackin 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.


Mackin migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Mackins to arrive on North American shores:

Mackin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anna Margaret Mackin, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729 2
  • Phillipina Mackin, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729 2
Mackin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Barbara Mackin, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1802 2
  • Edward MacKin, aged 45, who arrived in Tennessee in 1812 2
  • Owen Mackin, who landed in New York in 1831 2
  • Henry Mackin, aged 20, who arrived in New York in 1833 2
  • James Mackin, who arrived in Maryland in 1840 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Mackin migration to Australia +

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

Mackin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Patrick Mackin, (Mckin, Macken), (b. 1798), aged 22, Irish labourer who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Mackin (post 1700) +

  • James Mackin (1822-1887), American merchant, banker and politician
  • Catherine Patricia "Cassie" Mackin (1939-1982), American television journalist, the first woman to regularly anchor an evening network newscast
  • Sean Mackin (b. 1979), American rock musician
  • Pete Mackin, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 2012 4
  • Lawrence C. Mackin, American politician, Representative from Massachusetts 9th District, 1992 4
  • James H. Mackin, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Oswego, New York, 1937-53 4
  • James Mackin, American politician, Mayor of Monroe, Michigan, 1972-73 4
  • James Mackin, American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Dutchess County 1st District, 1859, 1873-75; New York State Treasurer, 1878-79; Member of New York State Senate 13th District, 1882-83 4
  • J. C. Mackin, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1884 4
  • Hugh E. Mackin, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Philadelphia County, 1877-78, 1881-88 4
  • ... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Ronald W Mackin (b. 1923), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Jersey, Channel Islands, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 5


The Mackin 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: Je suis prest
Motto Translation: I am ready.


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm


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