The spelling of the word "McKechnie" can be a bit confusing to those unfamiliar with Scottish names. It is pronounced [məˈkɛkni], with stress on the second syllable. The "Mc" at the beginning is an abbreviation of "Mac," which means "son of" in Scottish Gaelic. So "McKechnie" means "son of Kechnie." The "ch" sound in "Kechnie" is pronounced like the "ch" in "loch," a Scottish word meaning "lake." This spelling is common in Scottish surnames and is a fascinating example of the country’s unique linguistic heritage.
There is limited information available regarding the etymology of the surname "McKechnie". The name is of Scottish origin and is primarily found in Scotland and among Scottish descendants in other countries.
The surname "McKechnie" is believed to be derived from the given name "Eachann", which is a Gaelic form of "Hector". The name "Eachann" itself originated from the Old Norse name "Eakon", meaning "son of Agni". Over time, "Eachann" transformed into "MacEachainn", where "Mac" denotes "son of" in Gaelic. The name "MacEachainn" eventually evolved and ended up as "McKechnie" through anglicization and sound changes.
It's important to note that this information reflects the general understanding of the origins of the name, but surname etymologies can sometimes vary, and individual cases may have unique origins.