Surname Cheneys - Meaning and Origin
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Cheneys: What does the surname Cheneys mean?
The last name Cheneys is derived from the Old English personal name "Ceana", meaning battle. The name was common in England in the Middle Ages and is found in some records as Cheney, Chenie, Cheyne, and Chayne. In some cases, this name might be derived from Old French, meaning “oak wood”.
The Cheneys family probably originated from England in the medieval age, when some of them left the country for different places to build their new homes. The name spread throughout the British Isles and to Europe by the Middle Ages and beyond. In more modern times, the Cheney name spread to other corners of the world like the United States and Australia.
Cheneys have traditionally been a family of warriors, farmers, and merchants known for their strong work ethic and dedication to the family unit. People with this last name tend to be hardworking, loyal, and passionate. They often strive for success in their current endeavors and are well-respected in their professions.
In modern times, the Cheneys are respected and well-known in their respective fields; many notable people with this last name have achieved success and made significant impacts in various fields. Whether it's in politics, sports, business, or the arts, Cheneys have made their mark on society. This last name is a proud reminder of an important part of our shared history and the generations of hard-working individuals who have persevered.
Order DNA origin analysisCheneys: Where does the name Cheneys come from?
Cheneys is a surname which is mainly found in England. It has its origins in the county of Cheshire, and current records indicate that it is one of the most commonly used surnames in the area.
Cheneys is also quite common in Scotland, and is typically found in the North-East of the country. There are also records of Cheneys in the South of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. Outside of the British Isles, the surname Cheneys is not particularly common, though there are records of it being found in other countries including Spain, France, Portugal, and the United States.
Cheneys is a rare enough name that it is often mistaken for the surname ‘Cheney’, which is actually quite a rare surname in its own right. The two names can however be traced back to the same origin: a village called ‘Chenyes’ in Cheshire in the middle ages. The name means ‘The cheneys’ or ‘The people of Chenyes’.
The surname Cheneys still remains relatively common today in its traditional locations within the British Isles, particularly in the North-West. It is possible that some people with the surname have moved away from the area, but this is not common-place.
Variations of the surname Cheneys
The surname Cheneys is believed to be of English origin, deriving from the village of Cheneys in East Sussex. It is spelt in several different ways, including Cheney, Cheeney, Cheany, Cheeney, Chene, and Cheyns. It is also said that variants such as Chenye and Chény also exist.
Cheneys was originally a patronymic surname, denoting a person who was either a son or descendant of Cheyne, which itself originated from the Old English personal name Ceana, a short form of Cynedburg, meaning "royal fortress".
In some parts of the world, variants of the surname Cheneys are confusingly interchangeable: in England, for example, Cheney and Cheeney are both found—so even if two people have the same surname, they may actually be unrelated.
The Cheney spelling is also sometimes found in countries other than England, such as France, where it may have derived from a nickname or hereditary title used within the local nobility.
In Ireland, the surname is spelled Cheney or Cheeney, and is thought to have originated with the Anglicization of the Gaelic Ó Cianáin. It may have been introduced by English settlers who arrived in Ireland in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
In Scotland, Cheneys is considered a sept of the Clan MacRae. It is believed to have originated as an anglicised form of the Gaelic MacChoinnich, meaning "son of Kenneth".
Due to the various spellings of the surname Cheneys, it is not always easy to trace one's lineage back to a particular place of origin. Thus, it is important to keep in mind that there may be several distinct variations of the name, even within the same family.
Famous people with the name Cheneys
- Dick Cheney: Former Vice President of the United States under George W. Bush.
- Liz Cheney: U.S. Representative from Wyoming and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
- Skyler Cheney: Former professional baseball player in the Washington Nationals organization, son of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
- Martha Roberts Cheney: Daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
- Jack Cheney: American composer and multi-instrumentalist, son of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
- Bob Cheney: American golf tournament director and owner of the Bobby Jones Memorial Cup, son of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
- David Cheney: English professor and Anglican priest.
- Christine Todd Whitman: U.S. politician and former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, wife of former U.S. Representative David Cheney.
- Justin Cheney: Canadian actor, best known for his portrayal of Billy in the Canadian television series Degrassi: The Next Generation, son of Canadian Actor Winnie unaccounted.
- Victor Cheney: American entrepreneur and spiritual teacher, founder of the meditation program Journey to Enlightenment.