Surname Cunniffe - Meaning and Origin

Cunniffe: What does the surname Cunniffe mean?

The last name Cunniffe is of Irish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Irish name Ó Conmheáin, which means descendant of Conmhean. The meaning of the personal name Conmhean is uncertain, but it may have something to do with the Irish word cuan, which means “chasm” or “gulch.”

The surname Cunniffe is found predominantly in the Irish counties of Mayo and Sligo, as well as in Donegal. Historically, the Cunniffes were a medical family that were actively involved in their local communities. They were renowned healers, often being contacted for assistance by people from all over the county.

In modern times, the Cunniffes are spread around the world, although many of the original family still reside in Mayo and Sligo. With the spread of technology and the internet, the Cunniffe family are using these tools to stay connected with one and other, as well as to secure their memories and heritage.

In the 250 years since the earliest records of the Cunniffe family, the surname has come to represent a strong sense of resilience, pride and loyalty. In the face of adversity and change, the Cunniffe family has remained loyal to its roots and its Irish heritage. Family reunions are still held in Mayo and Sligo to mark special occasions and to celebrate the past.

Cunniffe: Where does the name Cunniffe come from?

The last name Cunniffe is a common surname today in Ireland, England, Scotland, and the United States. The surname originated in medieval Ireland, appearing in records as far back as the 12th century. In Ireland, Cunniffe is most common in West Galway and counties Mayo and Sligo.

In England, Cunniffe is most common in the counties of Hampshire, Devonshire, Berkshire, and Cornwall.

In Scotland, Cunniffe has been present in the higherlands since the 17th century. It is most commonly found in counties Aberdeenshire and Argyll near the North Sea coast.

In the United States, Cunniffe has been present since at least the mid-19th century. The first immigrants likely came from Scotland, likely with connections to existing Cunniffe families in the Highlands. Today, the surname is spread across all 50 US States, but still concentrated in the communities that have had an established Cunniffe presence for a longer period of time. These areas include Irish-American communities in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Many Cunniffe families can still trace their roots to Ireland and the ancient Kingdom of Connacht, where the name was first attributed. Therefore, Cunniffe is a widely-spread surname, though one still strongly associated with its first home.

Variations of the surname Cunniffe

The surname Cunniffe is an anglicized spelling of the Irish surname Ó Connmhaigh, which when translated means ‘son of Conmhaigh’. It belongs to the same family as many other Irish surnames such as O’Connor, Connolly, and Conroy.

Variations of spelling for the surname Cunniffe include Cunniff, Cunnif, Cunniffe, Cunif, Cunniph, Conniffe, and Conniff. It is also sometimes spelled as Cunnef, Cunnee, Connif, Conniph, and Cunnyffe.

Variant and related surnames include Cunnigham, Cunniffee, Cunniffey, Cunnigham, Cunning, and Cunningam.

Surnames with similar origins and spellings include Conhaugh, Conaugh, Conning, Connick, and Connick.

In addition, there are variations in the spelling of the surname Cunniffe depending on different countries of origin, such as variants being spelled as Cunnafe, Coonif, Cunife, Konif, Connafe, Conneff, and Conefe, mainly among those of Italian ancestry.

Finally, there are many surnames of Scottish origin that are derived from the Clan of McNiff including MacNiffe, MacNuff, MacNiffe, MacNeff, McNiffe, and McNew. These surnames originate from the Gaelic name Mac an Fhíodh, meaning “son of warning”.

Famous people with the name Cunniffe

• Lou Cunniffe- Lou Cunniffe is an Irish sports journalist, currently a presenter for the sports programming on Ireland's RTÉ.
• Eddie Cunniffe- Eddie Cunniffe is an Irish model most well-known for his work with Abercrombie & Fitch, Ralph Lauren, and Tom Ford.
• Dara Cunniffe- Dara Cunniffe is an Irish writer and publisher. She is the founder of Flash Fiction Magazine, an online magazine focusing on flash fiction writing and creative expression.
• David Cunniffe- David Cunniffe is an Irish actor. He is best known for his roles in Snap and Crossing the Line.
• Allie Cunniffe- Allie Cunniffe is an Irish musician, singer, and songwriter. She is the lead singer of the indie band, Hidden Highways.
• Rowan Cunniffe- Rowan Cunniffe is an Irish television director. He is best known for his multiple award-winning television series, The Fear.
• Peter Cunniffe- Peter Cunniffe is an Irish singer-songwriter and actor. He is best known for his folk rock albums, including Order of Chaos and Storm of Souls.
• Ciara Cunniffe- Ciara Cunniffe is an Irish poet, playwright, and essayist, most well-known for her work on the plays White Man's Dreams and Piece.
• Mark Cunniffe- Mark Cunniffe is an Irish musician and sound engineer. He is the co-founder of Sweet Noise Music, a music production and mastering company.
• Patrick Cunniffe- Patrick Cunniffe is an Irish beekeeper and environmentalist. He is the founder of the UK's first urban beekeeping company, UrbanBeesLondon.

Other surnames

Cunniff