McInnis

McInnis is a surname of Scottish origin. It represents an Anglicized form of Gaelic patronymics that generally mean “son of Finn” or “son of Fionn.” Over time, several spellings have emerged, including MacInnis, McInnis, MacKinnis, and McKinnis, reflecting regional pronunciation and the phonetic practices of record-keepers in Scotland and North America.

The name is found in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora. In North America, bearers of the name can be traced to settlers from Scotland and Ireland, with communities established in regions such as Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and in parts of the United States with historic Scottish immigration. The distribution has broadened in modern times due to migration, education, and marriage, leading to a variety of professions and public roles among people with the surname.

Within genealogical literature, McInnis is treated as part of a family of related surnames—such as MacInnis and MacInnes—that may derive from the same Gaelic root but reflect different branches, spellings, or anglicizations. Distinctions among these variants are often regional rather than strictly genealogical.

The surname McInnis continues to appear in contemporary records, on genealogical charts, and in the names of people, businesses, and, occasionally, geographic features in English-speaking countries. It is an example of how Gaelic patronymics were adapted into English spellings and passed down through generations.