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Meaning of the Name

The "Surnames of Scotland" by Black, pp.502,544 and 571,show many and varied spellings of the name, to-wit:

Macgillwhinnich; Makgyquhinnych (the name is now Macwhinnie,1506); Makgilquhiny (or Makguylquhynne),1480; McGilquhiye   ( or MGilquhenyie ), 1480; Macwhinney  ( or Mawinney ); Mewhinney   ( or Mawhinney )  (current); Macquhenzie  (form of McKenzie); M'Whunye    (common Galloway pronunciation); Makkynnay, 1593; Makquhynze   ( or M'quhynze),1526; McQuhinney, 1684; M'Whinnie, 1739; McKwhinney ( or McQuhine or McWhynie ),1684; MacQueenie; MacWeeny

"Whin", a noun, comes from Whyn(ne), a middle-English word. It means gorse or furze, which is spiny, evergreen shrub which produces yellow flowers, pods and beans. It is common throughout Europe and , I read is often used for fodder and fuel. "Whinny", an adjective, means "abounding in whin, gorse, or furzes", according to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.  The use of surnames arose in France about 1000.AD, came into use in England about 1060 with the Norman Conquest, and into Scotland about 1100. Surnames were taken from animals, weapons, occupations, colors, trades, complexions, countries, towns, waters, trees, land, rivers, plants. It was from the latter that our name Mewhinney was derived.

The McKenzie Clan

According to Scots Kith and Kin by Clan House, Scotland, the Mewhinney's were a Sept of the McKenzie Scottish Clan. This clan took it's name Mackenny or MacKenzie after a 13th  century chief, Kenneth. By the 17th century the MacKenzie's became the most powerful clan of the west, after the Campbell's, and their chief, MacKenzie of Kentail, was raised to Lord Seaforth by James VI In 1778  the Seaforth Highlanders, called the 78th Regiment, was founded and they did service in India.

I learned that in 1958 the chief of MacKenzies was Madam Helena Madeleine Mary Stewart-MacKenzie of Seaforth, who held the ancient seat, Brahan Castle, and it appears that the male heir of the house of MacKenzie of Kentail would be the Baronet of Scatwell.

Motto: Cuidich'n Righ  (help the King); Badge: Holly; Crest: A stag's head

MacKenzie country: Most westerly point of Ross and the greater part of Lewis.

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Last modified: March 05, 2000