Sources

“Kirkney is probably from cearc, a hen, a grouse hen.” Watson 1926, 443

Kirkney, Gartly [ˈkɛrkne]. A stream, tributary of Bogie. Stressed on Kirk-. 1511, Kirknee. 1534, Kirkne. 1596, Kirknie RMS. 1654, Kirknie – Gordon’s Map. From the position of the stress the name is Gaelic and has no connection with Scot. kirk. Macdonald suggests a derivation from cearc-fhraoich, grouse; which is conjectural.