Surname Canny - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Canny: What does the surname Canny mean?
The surname Canny is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Cannaidh. This surname originated in the Irish province of Ulster, and is derived from the Gaelic word “cannaidh” which means “valiant” or “wise”. Historically, the last name was associated with the medieval kingdom of Uí Dunchada, in what is now County Monaghan. The original Irish form of the last name is preserved in Northern Ireland to this day.
The name Canny has been used in a variety of ways throughout history. Prior to the mid-1900s, many prominent families in Ireland with the surname Canny held titles of nobility, such as baronets and viscounts. The Canny family crest is also quite distinct and recognizable. It is composed of two golden boars facing inward, surrounded by eight seven-pointed stars.
More generally, the surname Canny is commonly associated with intelligence, wisdom, and bravery. Those with the last name Canny are thought to be resourceful and courageous, unafraid of taking calculated risks in order to achieve their goals. The Canny family is said to be a strong and reliable clan, whose members are very protective of each other and are fiercely loyal to their friends and relatives.
It is likely that the surname Canny will continue to be an enduring symbol of strength and integrity for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisCanny: Where does the name Canny come from?
The last name Canny can be found in many regions around the world today. It is particularly common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and Australia. In the U.K. it is most common in Scotland, particularly in Glasgow. In Ireland, it is especially common in County Mayo. In the U.S. it is most common in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In Australia, it is most common in New South Wales and Victoria.
The name Canny, or its various spelling variants, is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic ‘canaigh’, meaning ‘bright’ or ‘intelligent’ in English. The name was given to someone who was perceived to be wise or smart and was likely first found in the Highlands of Scotland.
Today, the name Canny is most often used as a surname, but can also be given to babies as a first name. People with this name often have personalities that are reflective of the origin of the name, being intelligent, smart, and wise.
Variations of the surname Canny
The surname Canny is a Scottish name originating from the Gaelic words 'ceann' and 'ceannaigh', meaning 'head' and 'headman', respectively. Canny is an anglicised version of several distinct Gaelic surnames, which can be spelt in a number of different ways. The most common variants of this name include MacCennáin, MacFheanaigh and MacCanna. All of these variations have their own spelling nuances, depending on the source from which they are taken.
MacCennáin is the most common variant, and is spelt in a variety of different ways, including MacCennane and MacCenney. MacFheanaigh is a less common spelling, which has been anglicised to variants such as Maxwell and McEwan, whereas MacCanna is a less common variant, which has been anglicised to variants such as Kenna and Kennedy.
Other affiliated surnames associated with the Canny surname include Cannan, Canny, Canni, and Cannyce. The surname Cannan has been generally used as an English provincial name, particularly in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Westmoreland, as a variant of the name Cannon. Canny is an Anglicised version of the Irish surname Ó Cannaidh and is derived from a word meaning 'helper' or 'protector'. Canni is a variant of Canno, which is derived from the Gaelic word 'canna' meaning 'valley', while Cannyce is an Anglicised form of the Welsh personal name Cynwys.
Overall, the surname Canny has many variants, which have been derived from a range of different sources. While all of these spellings and surnames are connected, the ones most commonly associated with the surname Canny are MacCennáin, MacFheanaigh and MacCanna.
Famous people with the name Canny
- Michael Canny: Musician, composer, conductor, and musical director.
- William Canny: American football coach and former player.
- John Canny: Computer scientist and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California, Berkeley.
- Dave Canny: Singer-songwriter from Cork, Ireland.
- John Canny, Baron Canny: Former Lord Mayor of London in 1989.
- Peter Canny: Retired senior vice president at Google.
- Mike Canny: New Orleans creative director.
- Alan Canny: Former professional footballer who played for Manchester United and the England national team.
- Billy Canny: Retired professional football player who played for Coleraine FC and the Northern Ireland national football team.
- Dermot Canny: Bishop of Killaloe in the Roman Catholic Church.