Surname Blaney - Meaning and Origin

Blaney: What does the surname Blaney mean?

The surname Blaney is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Blianaigh," which is derived from "bliadhna," meaning "year." This likely referred to the Irish family having traveled from their homeland during a certain year. The surname is found primarily in Ireland and Scotland, and is believed to have originated in County Londonderry.

The Blaney family has a long and significant history in Ireland. During the 16th century, they became part of the powerful and influential O'Donnell clan, which ruled a large portion of Ulster. The clan established the Blaney district of Tír Chonaill, and it was here that the Blaneys were granted an extensive parcel of land in exchange for their loyalty. This land was later subdivided among the various branches of the Blaney family.

The Blanys were also an influential family in Scotland. In the early 1700s, they established themselves as merchants, suppliers, and traders in the city of Glasgow. They later moved to Edinburgh, where they established businesses, owned numerous properties, and were a prominent presence in the banking and finance industries.

Today, the Blaneys remain an important and powerful family in both Ireland and Scotland, and their name is still an important part of the region’s history. Despite their history of migration, their roots remain firmly planted in their native lands.

Blaney: Where does the name Blaney come from?

The last name Blaney can be found across the UK, Ireland, and North America today. In the United Kingdom, there are particularly high concentrations of the name in the counties of Lancashire, Oxfordshire, and West Midlands. The regions of Cumbria, Merseyside, and Wales also have a number of Blaney families.

In Ireland, Blaney is most commonly found in the provinces of Leinster, Ulster, and Connacht. As for North America, the highest concentrations of the name can be found in Canada, particularly in the provinces and territories of Ontario, Alberta, and Nova Scotia. In the United States, meanwhile, the most significant concentrations are in New York, Massachusetts, and California.

That said, Blaney is not a hugely common name and there aren't any particularly significant population hotspots for it around the world today. Instead, it is slowly but steadily expanding as Blaney families have increasingly migrated to different parts of the globe over the years.

Variations of the surname Blaney

The surname Blaney is of Irish origin and has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common spelling of Blaney is O' Blainey, which is an Irish and Scottish variation of O'Blaney, meaning descendant of Blaan. Belaney, Blane, Blanee, Blann, Blannie, Blanny, Bleyney, and Blinney are all variations of the Blaney spelling.

Blainey is the most prominent of Blaney variants, with members of the Blainey family found mainly in Ireland, Scotland, and England, as well as in North America. Other spellings of the name found primarily in Ireland are Blany, Blyney, and Bleyne.

In Scotland, the spelling Blaney is more common, while in England, spellings such as Blanney, Blaney, and Blinney are found. In America, Blaney, Blanney, and Blaney are the common forms of the name.

The alternate surnames, such as Blenney, Blairney, and Blaney-McClymont, are names of Irish origin.

Blan(e)/Blann and Blanney are mostly Scottish variants. The spelling Blaney is found mainly in Ireland and is derived from the Irish word blath, meaning “flower.” The surname is found in other areas such as Australia and Africa, along with more rare variants such as Blanny, Blenney, Bloney, and Blony.

The spelling Blaney is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, and is an Anglicized mutation of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name. It is common to find individuals with various spellings of the same surname.

Famous people with the name Blaney

• Dave Blaney: NASCAR driver
• Brad Blaney: American screenwriter and filmmaker
• Adam Blaney: British actor
• Thom Blaney: American sprint car driver
• Scott Blaney: American mixed martial artist
• Pat Blaney: Canadian freestyle wrestler
• Doug Blaney: Canadian children's television host and actor
• Dan Blaney: American actor
• Penny Blaney: American food writer and cooking teacher
• Paul Blaney: Canadian film and television producer

Other surnames

Blane