Surname Nanney - Meaning and Origin
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Nanney: What does the surname Nanney mean?
The last name Nanney is of Welsh origin and is derived from the Welsh language word "annwfn," meaning "abyss" or "deep sea." It is believed to have been a surname given to someone who lived near the sea or was employed in some capacity related to it. People bearing the name may have been seafarers, fishermen, or perhaps even pirates.
The surname has been associated with a heritage of Welsh heritage for many centuries. One of the earliest records of the Nanney family line is found in the nominal rolls of England in 1431, with the name being spelled as "Nanne." Over time, the spelling has changed but the pronunciation has generally stayed the same.
The Nanneys can be found all over the world, from the United States to Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Various branches of the family have spread throughout the world, leading to some fascinating stories if you ever meet people with the same last name.
Overall, the Nanney family has an interesting history full of unique stories that have spanned generations. It is a testament to the strength of family ties and a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of language and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisNanney: Where does the name Nanney come from?
The last name Nanney is most commonly seen in the United States today. It originated in England, and is found mainly in the south and mid-Atlantic regions of the country. Some states with the highest prevalence include North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. It is also seen much more frequently in the Appalachians, particularly in the states of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Although the surname Nanney has been in the U.S. since the 17th century, it is not widely spread in population. According to the Word Name Database, Nanney is the 9,257th most popular last name in the United States.
In addition to the south and mid-Atlantic, the Nanney surname is also found in Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho. There are also notable populations of the Nanney name in the Southwest and Midwest regions.
The origins of the Nanney name are uncertain, though some believe it comes from the Middle English words “nanne” or “nunne,” which were terms of endearment used to describe a beloved person or child. Others speculate that the name is derived from the Gaelic word “nan,” meaning “valley.”
Overall, the Nanney surname is still largely a regional phenomenon, though it has spread significantly over the centuries, and appears in many states throughout the United States today.
Variations of the surname Nanney
Nanney can be spelled in several ways: Nanny, Nanney,, Nannie, Nani, Nannye, Nanniy, Nannyy, Nannyi, Nanniey. It is also sometimes spelled as Nanny or Nanne.
Nanney is a surname of English origin. It is derived from an Anglo-Saxon name that began in the 11th century and is associated with the owners of a manor house near Nanynge in Cheshire. Nanny was the name given to the locality of the manor. It is likely that the Nanney family originally came from the surrounding area and then moved to the manor house.
The family is believed to have come from the same lands in Cheshire as the family of the same name who lived in Miawarde in Worcestershire in the early 16th century.
The surname Nanney is also found in Ireland, most likely taken there by settlers from England or Scotland. Variants of the surname there are Naney, Naneyi, Naniy, Nanniy and Nanny.
It is possible that the Nanney surname has other origins. This name may have derived from the French name Nanny or Nanni, which means ‘bold’ or ‘valiant’. It may also have originated from the Gaelic ‘mac’ or ‘son of’ with the common Irish name Anney meaning ‘little soul’ or ‘soulful’.
In the United States, Nanney may be found as an Americanized spelling of the German surname Neinig, which means ‘foolish’. It can also be found as an Americanized form of the Greek surname Nanas, which means ‘flower’. The name Nanney has also been linked to some families of Sephardic origin who may have migrated to the United States in the 19th century.
Famous people with the name Nanney
- Ryan Nanney: a former American football quarterback and safety in the Arena Football League
- Harry Nanney: an American professional basketball player who competed in the 1946 Basketball Association of America
- Whit Nanney: an American television producer and director
- Carroll Nanney: a former American football player and coach
- Shelby Nanney: an American professional baseball player
- B. J. Nanney: a former American professional minor league baseball player
- Jesse Nanney: a former American football player
- Lawson Nanney: a former American football quarterback
- Richard Nanney: a former American basketball player
- William Nanney: a former American Major League Baseball pitcher