Surname Moomey - Meaning and Origin
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Moomey: What does the surname Moomey mean?
The surname Moomey is of English origin, although its specific meaning is not completely clear due to its relatively obscurity. It is thought to be a diminutive, endearing or familial term, originating from "Mummy", an affectionate name for a mother in British English. In historical context, surnames often originated from locations, occupations or familial relationships, so Moomey could potentially have any of these backgrounds. It's also possible that Moomey was a geographic reference to a specific type of terrain or location in the past. However, without specific historical or etymological data, the exact meaning of Moomey remains a matter of conjecture. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames often changed over time, so it is possible that the original spelling or form of the name Moomey may have been different. Variations of this surname include Moome, Momey, and Mommy amongst others. As each surname has its own fingerprint, so does Moomey. Though its exact meaning is unknown, it carries the experiences, deeds, and endurance of those who have borne it through history.
Order DNA origin analysisMoomey: Where does the name Moomey come from?
The last name Moomey is most common in the United States, particularly in the Midwest. According to a 2020 census report, the highest concentration of Moomey families is in the state of Iowa, specifically in Linn County where the population density is as high as 6 families per 1,000 households.
In addition to Iowa, Moomey is also a very common name in other nearby states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Outside of the Midwest, the last name Moomey is less common but, still present in certain states such as Pennsylvania, Texas, and Missouri.
Outside of the United States, the last name Moomey is found in other parts of the world including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe, and South America. A large concentration of Moomey families is also found in England, specifically in the counties of Kent, Manchester, and Essex.
The last name Moomey originates from the Gaelic term for “Magee,” which is an old Irish surname derived from the Gaelic O'Maodhagain. This old Irish surname is pronounced “MOH-mee” and was originally given to denotations of the Magee family who were descendants of Maodhagain.
The last name Moomey is typically found among Irish and Scottish descendants and is rarely seen among other cultures. The last name is still somewhat popular today, though it is much less common than it was a century ago.
Variations of the surname Moomey
There are a variety of variations on the surname Moomey, including Moome, Mooney, Moomy, Moody, Moyne, and Mooney. However, all of these variants originate from the same Irish surname.
The Anglicized version of the surname Moomey first emerged in County Monaghan, where its variants Moome and Mooney have wide usage to this day. These variants are derived from the Gaelic surname O’Maoithi, itself coming from an Irish word meaning kindliness and mercy.
The surnames Moody and Moyne are more widespread though, particularly in the Ulster counties of Donegal, Fermanagh, and Tyrone. This surname is believed to originate from the Gaelic MacMurchaidh, meaning ‘son of a sea warrior’.
Moomy and Mooney are more localized to the west of Ireland with usage mainly in Mayo and Roscommon. These surnames are derived from the Irish MacMaoithigh, the Anglicized form of O’Maoithigh.
All in all, all of the surnames Moome, Mooney, Moomy, Moody, Moyne, and Mooney all share a common origin, the Gaelic O’Maoithi.
Famous people with the name Moomey
- Patrick Moomey: Emmy Award-Winner and film director.
- Shawn Moomey: Country music singer-songwriter.
- Matilda Moomey: Award-winning Broadway actress.
- Ian Moomey: Attorney and US Secretary of State.
- Bill Moomey: Professional NBA basketball player.
- Kathryn Moomey: Children's author and illustrator.
- Micah Moomey: Acclaimed oil-painting artist.
- Nicholas Moomey: Digital entrepreneur and technology expert.
- James Moomey: Multi-platinum recording artist.
- Tina Moomey: Academy Award-nominated actress.