Surname Guinnessey - Meaning and Origin
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Guinnessey: What does the surname Guinnessey mean?
The last name Guinnessey is of English origin. It is derived from the Old French name Guineur, which was either a nickname for a cunning or crafty person, or referred to individuals from the French region of Guyenne. In the Middle Ages, Guyenne was cited as a center for hunting, hence the name may have also been used to refer to those who were skilled at hunting.
The surname Guinnessey first appears in records from the 1200s, where renditions such as Guinegise, Gwinengis, and Guenys can be found. It was particularly prominent in Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, and Lancashire. Today, however, the surname has spread throughout the entire UK.
Although the exact origins of the surname are uncertain, it is believed that it is related to the medieval personal name of Realmine or Raymin, which is of Germanic origin and is derived from the words meaning ‘power, presence, and protection.’ Alternatively, the surname may have descended from a Norman personal name Wigone, which is related to the name Viggo, meaning ‘battle-worthy’.
Others believe that the name Guinnessey may be related to the Gaelic clan name of ‘Guinness’, which is derived from the Old Norse personal name Gunnr (warrior). The clan lived in Counties Antrim and Donegal in Northern Ireland during the 17th century and still exists today.
No matter the origin of the last name Guinnessey may be, it is certain that the name carries a rich and powerful legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisGuinnessey: Where does the name Guinnessey come from?
The surname Guinnessey is most commonly found today in England and Wales, with a few occurrences in Ireland. It is believed that the name is French in origin, derived from "Guillaume de Saint", or "William of Saint".
The 1881 census of England and Wales showed that the highest concentration of Guinnessey families lived in the county of Northamptonshire. Here, the surname accounted for 1.9% of the population. Outside of England, the United Irish of North America also show a presence of the name, particularly in Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
The Guinnessey surname can also be found in some smaller numbers in countries such as Australia, France, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. American records also indicate a fair number of people named Guinnessey from early immigration records.
In most cases, the Guinnessey family seems to have had originated from one main line of descent, although some of the original sources of the name are no longer certain. In recent years, the name has spread to a variety of countries worldwide, with more and more variations appearing as intermarriages occur.
Variations of the surname Guinnessey
The surname Guinnessey is most likely derived from a place name originating in France, specifically the small island of Guernsey, which lies off the northern coast of Normandy. Variants and spellings of this surname include Guenesey, Gyneseye, Guynesaye, Gueniscie, Giginessy, Ginnesy, Genesy, Genesey, Gunnesey, Guinesy and Geneseoe. It is possible that these variants were created over time by either mistakes made by people who wrote out or recorded the name incorrectly, or perhaps the variation of a variety of dialects which affect spelling.
Surnames of similar origin to Guinnessey are also found, including Guernsey, Guernes, Guernou, Guernon, Gunno, Genes, Genier and Gunn. All these surnames are derived from the same place name, and represent the various evolutions of its spelling over time.
Given that the modern spelling of Guinnessey appears to be more closely related to the original island of Guernsey than any of its variants, it is worth noting that in recent times, other surnames derived directly from the place name have become popular, including Guernet, Guerneset and Gurson. This could indicate a preference amongst current generations to retain the original spelling of the place name, while still honouring their ancestral roots.
Famous people with the name Guinnessey
- Mike Guinnessey: Actor, writer and stand-up comedian
- Ed Guinnessey: Basketball coach
- Jessica Guinnessey: Actress
- Marcus Guinnessey: Professional football player
- Dan Guinnessey: Olympic sailor
- Stephen Guinnessey: Voice actor
- David Guinnessey: Producer
- Laura Guinnessey: Singer/songwriter
- Terry Guinnessey: Writer
- Ryan Guinnessey: Actor