McKenna History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name McKenna:

McKenna Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Edward McKenna, who landed in America in 1810 5
• Bridget McKenna, aged 8, who landed in New York, NY in 1834 5
• John McKenna, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1834 5
• Nancy McKenna, aged 10, who landed in New York, NY in 1834 5
• Peter McKenna, aged 11, who arrived in New York, NY in 1834 5
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McKenna Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• John McKenna, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
• Mary McKenna, aged 35, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
• Rose McKenna, aged 6, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
• Mary Ann McKenna, aged 5, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
• Jane McKenna, aged 3, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKenna Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mrs. Eleanor Mckenna, (Mccormick) who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 20th November 1823, arriving in New South Wales, Australia and Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
• Mr. Bryan Mckenna, (Mccormack), English convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 6th April 1824, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
• Thomas McKenna, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on September 21, 1826, settling in New South Wales, Australia 8
• Mr. Henry McKenna, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
• Mr. Patrick Mckenna, (b. 1783), aged 45, Irish weaver who was convicted in County Kerry, Ireland for stealing, transported aboard the "Fergusson" on 16th November 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1835 10
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McKenna Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Mckenna, British settler as part of the 8th Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Oriental Queen" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th September 1849 11
• Mrs. Margaret Mckenna, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Oriental Queen" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th September 1849 11
• Miss Isabella McKenna, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "New Great Britain" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 10th August 1863 12
• Miss Jane McKenna, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "New Great Britain" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 10th August 1863 12
• Mr. John McKenna, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "New Great Britain" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 10th August 1863 12
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Lawrence M. McKenna (1933-2023), American jurist, Senior Judge United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (2002-2023)
• Andrew James McKenna Sr. (1929-2023), American businessman and chairman emeritus of McDonald's from 2016 until his death
• Keven Alexander McKenna (1944-2022), American lawyer and politician who served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1979 to 1985
• Mike McKenna (b. 1983), American professional NHL ice hockey goaltender
• Malcolm Carnegie McKenna (1930-2008), American paleontologist
• Joseph McKenna (1843-1926), American politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives
• Kevin McKenna (1945-2019), Irish republican and volunteer, Chief of Staff of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (1983–1997)
• Brian McKenna (1945-2023), Canadian documentary film director, known for Chiefs (2002), The Great War (2007) and The Valour and the Horror (1992)
• Mrs. Diana Barbara McKenna O.B.E., British Head for Specialist Disabled Children’s Services for Derbyshire County Council, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 13
• Stephen McKenna (1939-2017), British-born visual artist
• ... (Another 9 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• The MacKennas of Troagh by C. Eugene Swezey.
• The American Descendants of James McCourt, John McKenny, Matthew Young and Allied Families by Martha F. McCourt.