The Kinney Family History

What Does the Kinney Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Kinney has its roots in both Irish and Scottish heritage, deriving from the Old Gaelic words ‘cion’ and ‘aodh,’ which denote concepts of affection and respect. Variations of the name Kinney include McKinney, Kenney, Kenny, MacKinnie, MacKenney, MacKenna, MacKinna, and MacKennagh. In England, the earliest bearers of the Kinney surname resided in Somerset. Over the centuries, these families migrated to various regions, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Cornwall, Essex, the city of London, and Gloucestershire. In Ireland, the Kinney lineage is traced back to County Monaghan, while in Scotland, the predominant population of individuals bearing this surname can be found in Lanarkshire, Dumfries-shire, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, Angus, and Roxburghshire. In the United States, the initial Kinney families established themselves in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Noteworthy individuals with this surname include George Romanta Kinney, a shoe manufacturer and founder of the G. Kinney Company; Terry Kinney, an accomplished actor; Jeff Kinney, a renowned author of children's literature; Matt Kinney, a professional baseball player; Alva Kinney, the founder of ConAgra Foods; Henry Lawrence Kinney, a pioneer who settled in southwest Texas, after whom Kinney County is named; Abbott Kinney, the founder of Venice, California; and Jeffrey Bruce Kinney, a professional football player.