Surname Gaffney - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey from Gaffney to Global Ancestry

Upon conducting an iGENEA DNA test, my perception of identity, heritage and the meaning of the surname 'Gaffney' has transformed. Instead of a singular Irish lineage, I have found my roots stretch into a rich tapestry of various ethnic backgrounds, reshaping my understanding of personal identity and heritage.

U. Gaffney

Gaffney: What does the surname Gaffney mean?

The surname Gaffney is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Gafne, which is derived from the Irish Mag Fhainne meaning “son of Finne”. Finne, an Irish byname meaning “fair” or “bright”, is believed to be of Viking origin. Those bearing the Gaffney surname can trace their lineage to a prominent Irish family which traces its roots to the tenth century Dál Riata tribes.

The Gaffney family was well represented in Irish history as landowners in County Tanister, dating back to the 16th century. As a result, there were many Gaffney castles, family estates, and monuments, many of which are still in existence today. Throughout the centuries, Gaffneys have made calls for Irish independence and hosted countless political meetings.

The Gaffney family also has an extensive international presence, including prominent 19th century migration to the United States. Since moving to the US and then to other countries, Gaffneys have become leaders in many fields including politics, business, law, science, and healthcare.

Today, the surname Gaffney is often thought of as a proud and distinguished one. It is associated with a strong association with Irish pride and an appreciation for the culture and people of the Emerald Isle. It stands for a proud and determined spirit, and for the courage and determination of its ancestors.

Gaffney: Where does the name Gaffney come from?

The last name Gaffney is most common today in Ireland and the United States.

In Ireland, Gaffney is among the fifty most common surnames. Records show that the name likely derived from Gaelic and Norman origins. For example, "Gafney" was an ancient Gaelic surname that was related to the first name Gawain or "Gawaney" which means "brave youth." Alternately, some believe Gaffney is derived from the Neville-Grenville family, a Norman family that is famous for its ties to William the Conqueror.

In the United States, Gaffney is located in the states with the largest Irish and Irish-American populations. New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and California all show higher frequencies of Gaffney than more rural areas such as Minnesota and the Dakotas.

Today, Gaffney is a common name found among many different nationalities. While it may be most often associated with Irish descent, Gaffney is now found among people who have French, English and Scottish backgrounds as well. The name is seen among various professions, from teachers to musicians, business owners to professional athletes such as former NFL star Tim Gaffney.

Variations of the surname Gaffney

The surname Gaffney has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname are Gaffney, Gaffneye, Gaffnee, Gaffny, Gavney, Gafney and Gafneye. Other variants of the surname include Gaphney, Gawney, Gavany, Gaveny, Gavanney, Gaffin and Gaffney.

Gaffney is also commonly seen as an Irish surname. The original Gaelic form of the name was O Gafnaigh; this name is derived from the Irish word "gafa" which means "fork". In Irish Gaelic, Gafnaigh means "the son of the fork".

Gaffney is also found in other countries as a variant or alternate spelling of the name, such as Gaffneye found in England, Gafen in Scotland, Gaffin in France, Gafeniy in Germany and Gafnaig in Italy.

The surname Gaffney can also be found in other forms such as Gaffner, Gaffnerin, Gaffners, Gaffneyer, Gaffneyers, Gaffenburg, Gaffenburgs, Gaffenberger, Gaffenbergerin, Gaffenrak, Gaffeniri, Gaffurini, Gafurini and Gaffaroni. In Irish, Gaffney may be found as Gaffney-O'Grady, O'Gaffney, Gaffney-O'Meara, O'Gafney and Gafney-O'Rourke.

In the United States, there are numerous families with the surname Gaffney, some of which are derived from Irish immigrants, while others are related to other ethnic groups. Additionally, many people with the Gaffney surname can trace their lineage back to England, Scotland and Wales.

Famous people with the name Gaffney

• Patrick Gaffney: Actor and cinematographer
• Meagan Gaffney: Actress
• Brendon Gaffney: Activist and producer
• Bryan Gaffney: Actor
• Joe Gaffney: Comedian
• Tim Gaffney: Television producer
• Sean Gaffney: Voice actor
• Devin Gaffney: Soccer player
• Thomas Gaffney: Entrepreneur
• Jemima Gaffney: Scientist
• Mike Gaffney: Film producer
• Jim Gaffney: NFL player
• Fritz Gaffney: Entrepreneur
• Jonathan Gaffney: Basketball player
• Mark Gaffney: Educator
• Matthew Gaffney: Musician
• Tony Gaffney: Basketball player
• Billy Gaffney: Actor
• Daniel Gaffney: Politician
• Nicole Marie Gaffney: Chef and television presenter

Other surnames

Gaffny