Surname Cunnison - Meaning and Origin
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Cunnison: What does the surname Cunnison mean?
The last name Cunnison is of Scottish/Irish origin, and is derived from the medieval personal name John Conynsoun. This name was originally adopted by families from the Scottish Borders who lived in the area known as Clan Curan, which was located along the banks of the River Cree near Dumfries. The name Cunnison is said to have been adopted by these families due to a personal connection they shared with the region.
The etymology of the name Cunnison is thought to be a combination of two elements: the Gaelic words cun, meaning "hound" or "well-known" and son, meaning "son". Together, "cunson" translates to mean "well-known son". This translation may indicate that the name was attributed to the first-born son in a family, as a sign of distinction.
Throughout the centuries, Cunnison is said to have evolved into different spelling variations, such as Cunnison, Conason, Cunnisonn, and Cunnisonne. In later years, it may have been adapted to fit different countries, versions such as Cunnisonne in France, or Konson in Germany.
Today, the surname is most commonly found in the Scottish and Irish regions. The Cunnison family can trace their roots to the 12th century Scottish-Norman rule, and remain proud of their origin and legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisCunnison: Where does the name Cunnison come from?
The last name Cunnison is most commonly found in the United Kingdom today. Records show that this surname dates back to the 13th century with the earliest recorded spelling of the surname being Conison. Widespread distribution of the Cunnison family name began in early 1600s in Scotland and England, when they branched out to Ireland as well.
Today the Cunnison family name is still most popular in the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Some Cunnisons have also been found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The current population of Cunnisons is estimated to be around 7,000 in the United Kingdom and around 1,250 in the United States. Cunnisons can be found throughout the world but they are mainly concentrated in the countries where they originated: Scotland and England, as well as parts of Ireland.
Cunnisons can be found in a variety of different occupations and professions, ranging from law and medicine to business and education. Many members of the Cunnison family are involved in the armed forces, while there are also a number who are involved in the entertainment industry.
Overall, the last name Cunnison is still quite common today, with the majority of individuals located in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Cunnison
The surname Cunnison is believed to have originated from an ancient Britons word meaning “leader”. Variants of this surname may include Cunnison, Cannison, Cannon, Caunson, Conning, Cumison, Cunning, and Cunniff. Many spellings tend to substitute the letter "S" for an "N" throughout the original form of the name, resulting in Cunison, Conison, and Connin. Surnames derived from the original form of the name include Cunningham, Cunning, and Conchan.
In Scotland, the name Cunnison appears in old records as early as 1398 in the form Cunysoun, possibly referring to Walter Cunysoun of Aberdeenshire. The surname achieved some prominence in Scotland through the Cunningham Clan, whose ancestral home is Auchenharvie Castle in Ayrshire.
It is believed that many of the Cunnison variations first appeared in Ireland in the mid-1500s. The Cunnison name is found in many parts of County Londonderry in Ireland, where people bearing the surname were commonly referred to as "O Conníon" or "Connison".
In the United States, some early marriages involving individuals with the surname Cunnison can be found in Pennsylvania as early as 1837. The variations of the Cunnison name, such as Connin, Conon, and Conin, can also be found in records from colonial America.
The Cunnison surname is also found in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, the surname appears as early as 1858 in the form "Cunnison" and the variations Connin and Connon have also been recorded in Victoria. In New Zealand, the Cunnison name is also present, having appeared on multiple electoral rolls between 1867 and 1908.
Famous people with the name Cunnison
- Casey Cunnison: an American actor from movies like Book Club, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and White Chicks.
- John Cunnison: a British-Australian artist and musician.
- Avery Cunnison: an American artist and printmaker known for her use of experimental printing techniques.
- Rollin Cunnison: a professional race car driver active in the NASCAR Grand National Series during the 1950s and 1960s.
- Thomas Cunnison: a talented British composer and arranger of traditional music.
- Clarke Cunnison: an American actor best known for his roles in movies like The Social Network and Other People's Money
- Clare Cunnison: an English literary scholar and author who has published several works on literature in the 19th century.
- Tony Cunnison: a Scottish actor who appeared in movies like Passports and Silver Linings Playbook.
- Charles Cunnison: a 19th century American politician who served as a US Senator from Pennsylvania.
- Donald Cunnison: a British theater actor who had a successful career spanning the 1940s to the early 1960s.