The spelling of the word "mcaninch" is quite unique and can be difficult to decipher without knowing its pronunciation first. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /mə'kænɪntʃ/. The "mc" at the beginning of the word is a common feature in Irish and Scottish surnames, indicating a lineage derived from a Celtic clan. The "a" and "i" sounds are both pronounced separately, followed by the consonant cluster "nch" which is a common feature in Gaelic languages.
The etymology of the surname McAninch, or its variant spellings such as McKaninch or McGanich, can be traced back to Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Coinnich, which means son of Coinneach. Coinneach is a Gaelic given name derived from the word cain meaning handsome or comely. Over time, this Scottish surname likely underwent various changes in spelling and pronunciation, eventually resulting in the modern anglicized form McAninch.