Surname Cheynney - Meaning and Origin
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Cheynney: What does the surname Cheynney mean?
The last name Cheynney is of Irish origin. The Gaelic spelling of the name is Ó Coinne, with the Ó indicating the presence of a preceding surname 'Coinne'. This name is derived from the Gaelic word 'coinnigh', meaning 'wolf cub'. This suggests that the original bearer of the name Cheynney was a person who was associated with wolves.
In Ireland, the Cheynney surname is most commonly found among the counties located in the western half of the country. The spelling of the name may have changed due to both its frequent usage as well as its translation from the Irish language into English. Many variations and spellings of the name are common, including Chaney, Cheaney, Chenney, Chenny, and Cheney.
Today, the Cheynney surname is spread across many countries, and has even been adopted by people of different ethnic backgrounds. People who carry this surname may have ancestral ties to Ireland and are proud of their heritage.
In spite of its Irish background, the Cheynney surname has a strong and respectable presence around the world. Its appearance in different countries is a testament to centuries of great migration from Ireland and abroad. The Cheynney surname will continue to be held in honor for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisCheynney: Where does the name Cheynney come from?
The surname Cheynney is most commonly found in England and Wales, although it is also found throughout other parts of Great Britain, as well as in British Commonwealth countries. It is also found in some other areas of Western Europe, particularly in Northern France and the Low Countries.
In England and Wales, the Cheynney surname is among the 1,000 most commonly used names, with a frequency of occurrence of 0.42 per hundred thousand people. It is most heavily concentrated in Dorset, Yorkshire, and Northamptonshire, with the highest rates of the name in the Bay of Yorkshire region and South Dorset. Cheynney is also frequent in the West Midlands and East Midlands in England.
The Cheynney name is also occasionally found in the United States and Canada, primarily among people of British descent. This name is still common in Britain today, and is prominent throughout many areas of the world, such as Europe, the United States, and Canada. The Cheynney surname is fairly common in England, particularly in regions like the West Country and East Midlands, and is prominent in the British Commonwealth.
Variations of the surname Cheynney
The surname Cheynney comes from an Old French word for "oak wood". Variants of this surname include Cheney, Cheyney, Cheyne, Cheany, Cane, Caine, Kaine, Kain, Kane, Kayne, Keyne, MacCheyne, MacCheaney, MacCheeny, MacCheany, MacCain, MacKain, MacKane, and MacKayne.
The origin of the name Cheynney is traced back to the Anglo-Norman period, when the name is found in documents in England and Wales from as early as 1185. The surname was brought to Britain by the Normans at the time of the Invasion and Conquest of 1066.
In Scotland, the name Cheynney is most strongly associated with the north-east of the country, an area known as Moray, and with the region of Perthshire in the south-west. It is likely that the name originated with Norman settlers who settled in these areas during the 12th century.
In Irish names, the normal spelling is MacCheyne, with MacCheany and MacKane being other variations. It is likely that the first recorded person of this name was an Irish settler in Scotland, and the name may have been adopted by his descendants.
The spelling of the name Cheynney with an 'e' before the 'y' is found mostly in Norfolk, England, and may have been adopted by families living there in the 1800s.
Overall, the surname Cheynney is an old name with a variety of different spellings. Its derivation is from France and it was brought to Britain by the Normans, but it is also found in Scotland and Ireland. It has evolved over the centuries with different spellings throughout regions and cultures, making it a diverse surname and one with a rich history.
Famous people with the name Cheynney
- Michael Cheyney: Former CEO and Chairman of Halliburton Company
- Madelaine Cheyney: American novelist, writer, and playwright
- Danny Cheyney: Welsh actor and comedian
- Phil Cheyney: Scottish footballer who played for Celtic and Swansea City
- Joe Cheyney: NFL player for the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals
- Lyall Cheyney: Canadian lawyer and former politician
- Al Cheyney: Former MLB pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles
- Michael Cheyney: American voice actor
- Chris Cheyney: British musician, singer-songwriter, and comedian
- John Cheyney: Early American settler in Colchester, New Jersey
- Elise Cheyney: American poet and short story writer
- Arthur Cheyney: English sculptor, engraver and painter
- K. J. Cheyney: British filmmaker, director, writer, and producer
- Robert Cheyney: Former NFL player for the Philadelphia Eagles
- George Cheyney: Ancient Greek theologian, historian, and educator
- Royal Cheyney: Olympic rower who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics
- Robert Cheyney: United States Air Force officer
- Emmy Cheyney: English writer of novels, biographies, and historical essays
- David Cheyney: American Paralympic volleyball player who competed in the 2000 Summer Paralympics
- Charles Cheyney: American physician who served on several medical boards