Surname Kinally - Meaning and Origin

Kinally: What does the surname Kinally mean?

The last name Kinally is of Anglo-Saxon origin and translates to “kinly” in English. It was likely first used as a locational surname, referring to the village of Kinaldy in Caithness, Scotland. The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic cinnealaidh, which typically translates to “headland” or “promontory.”

Many Kinally families can be traced to Scotland, specifically to Aberdeenshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times. The surname can also be found in records in Northern Ireland, specifically County Antrim.

The Kinally family has a long and diverse history in Scottish and Irish life, and many members have played a significant role in the development of their respective nation states. Some of the most notable members include Scottish diplomat Alexander Kinally, who served in the governments of Bonar Law, Stanley Baldwin, and Neville Chamberlain; Irish business magnate William Kinally, who founded the Northern Lights Brewery; and the prolific writer Alex Kinally, who penned numerous plays, novels, and works of non-fiction.

The Kinally family is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and its power to adapt to changing circumstances. Every person who follows the name proudly bears the weight of its history – a history steeped in honour, pride, and the realization of potential.

Kinally: Where does the name Kinally come from?

The last name Kinally is most commonly found in Ireland. Within Ireland the name is most commonly encountered in County Mayo, particularly near the towns of Kiltimagh, Ballina and Shrule. There are also concentrations of the name in other parts of the island, predominantly in southern counties such as County Kerry and County Kilkenny. Outside of Ireland the name has spread with migration to other countries, particularly the UK. It is estimated that majority of those bearing the name Kinally living outside of Ireland reside in the UK.

As an Irish surname, the Kinally name is derived from the name Ó Cuanghaile, which itself comes from the phrase "Cuanghail", meaning scientific or deep in thought. This suggests that Irish ancestors with this name likely had an interest or skill in academia, or perhaps they were particularly artistic or contemplative leaders.

Throughout the course of its history, it is likely that the name Kinally has undergone various slight mutations due to various migrations, both internally in Ireland and across other countries. Variations on this surname can be found in the form of Conally, Connelly and Kinnealy. There are other variants too, such as Kinley and Konally.

Variations of the surname Kinally

The surname Kinally is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old Gaelic name Mac an Fhilidh, meaning "son of a bard". The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include: Kinnealy, Kinley, Kinnley, Kinnielay, Kinnielie, Kenniely, Kinnillie, Kynnally, Kynnealy, Kynnelly, Kineley, and Mcanfely.

Kinnealy is the most popular variant of the surname and is derived from the Old Gaelic spelling of Mac an Fhilidh. Kinnley has a similar spelling to Kinnealy but is more commonly found in families with Irish roots. It is derived from the Older Irish spelling of Mac an Fhilidh.

Kinnielay is a variant of the name derived from the Irish spelling. It is less common than the other variants. Kenniely is a variant originating from the Middle Irish spelling of Mac an Fhilidh. Kinnillie is a variant of the name originating from the Scottish Gaelic spelling. It is less common than the other variants.

Kynnally is a variant of the name originating from the Scottish Gaelic spelling. It is less common than the other variants. Kynnealy is the Scottish Gaelic spelling of Mac an Fhilidh, which is less popular and not as widely used.

Kynnelly is a variant of the name derived from the Middle Irish spelling and is not as widely used. Kineley is a variant originating from the Old Irish spelling and is not as common as the other variants. Mcanfely is a variant of the name originating from the Irish spelling and is also not as common.

Famous people with the name Kinally

• Stedson Red Kinally: An Australian actor, best known for his roles in films such as The Great Gatsby and The Wolverine.
• Pulane Kinally: An actress and singer from South Africa, best known for her roles in movies such as Undisputed and Overcoming.
• Francis Kinally: An American actor who has appeared in several films and television shows, including The Good Wife and NCIS.
• Marley Kinally: A British singer and songwriter, best known for the hit songs "Rude" and "Locked Away".
• Francis Kinally Jr.: A Canadian actor, known for his roles in shows such as The X-Files and Smallville.
• Shaun Kinally: An Indian actor who has appeared in films such as Hum Tum and the TV show Ugly.
• Anderson Kinally: An American-born actor and television host, best known for his role as a presenter on the BBC's Today show.
• Jeff Kinally: An American actor, best known for his roles in films such as Man on Fire and Terminator Salvation.
• Lord Kinally: A British aristocrat and businessman, most famous for acting as a director of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
• John Kinally: An English actor, most famous for his role as Sir Winston Churchill in the British TV series Downton Abbey.

Other surnames

Kinali