Surname Guinnessy - Meaning and Origin
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Guinnessy: What does the surname Guinnessy mean?
The last name Guinnessy has Irish origins. It is a derivative of an old Gaelic surname O’Ginnseachain, which was first used to refer to people who were direct descendants of a member of an ancient Irish clan (or sept) by this name. The original Gaelic form of this name was derived from the Gaelic word “Ginneac”, which meant “sharp-witted”. The family who bore this name were noted for their keen intelligence and ability to solve problems quickly.
The Guinnessy family were prominent landowners in County Armargh, where their ancestral home can still be found today. This impressive residence was built on a site owned by the family since the 12th century. The family was also known for being patrons of music – they were fond of hosting concerts and art performances in their spacious grounds.
The Guinnessy surname can be traced through the generations in Irish history. It was common to refer to people by their surnames in the past, so the name is still in use today. People who bear the name are said to have strong links to their Irish heritage. They are commonly known to be loyal, generous and good natured.
Order DNA origin analysisGuinnessy: Where does the name Guinnessy come from?
The last name Guinnessy is thought to have originated in the British Isles due to its association with the iconic beer brand, Guinness. The Guinness brewing company was founded in 1759 in Dublin, Ireland by Arthur Guinness and the Guinness family name has been synonymous with excellence and quality since then.
Today, the Guinnessy surname is still quite common in the United Kingdom and particularly throughout Ireland, which is widely considered to be the spiritual home of the Guinnessy name. It can be found in provincial towns along the east coast and in major cities like Dublin and Belfast.
The Guinnessy name can also be found in other parts of the United Kingdom, such as in prominent locations in the Midlands and North West, as well as in Scotland. The same can be said for its presence in Wales and England where the name is fairly widespread in its different variations.
Outside the United Kingdom, the Guinnessy name is less common but has a strong presence amongst people of Irish descent in the United States, Canada and Australia, and also appears to have some followers in other parts of continental Europe. Given the difficulty of researching names, it is difficult to provide an exact number of people with the last name Guinnessy today. However, it is safe to say it is a reasonably popular surname today with a long and proud heritage.
Variations of the surname Guinnessy
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Guinnessy are Gunnison, Gunson, Gunnisonson, Gannison, Gannisonson, Ganneson, Gunesses, Gunisso, Gynisso, and Gennison.
Gunnison is derived from the Scottish Gaelic "Mac a' Ghiunnsa" meaning 'son of the Gunn', and is the original spelling of the surname. It is usually found in Scotland, England, and Canada. Gunson is a variation of Gunnison and is primarily found in Ireland.
Gunnisonson is a variation of Gunson which is also found in Ireland, along with Gannison, Gannisonson, Ganneson and Gunesses. Gunisso and Gynisso are also derived from Gunnison, but only found in Italy.
Gennison is another form of the name and is primarily found in Scotland, but can also be found in some parts of Australia and the United States.
Overall, there are many different variations of the surname Guinnessy, but they all ultimately share the same origin in the Gaelic patronymic. Each spelling is found in different parts of the world, indicating the travel and migration of the Guinnessy family over time.
Famous people with the name Guinnessy
- Arthur Guinnessy: a Canadian actor and entertainer who had a number of popular roles, including Mike Brady on the television show The Brady Bunch.
- David Guinnessy: an Irish actor best known for his role as Stephen Ward in the film The Queen's Spy.
- John Guinnessy: a British actor, director and producer known for his roles in the films Touch of Evil and Frenzy.
- Sir Alec Guinnessy: an English actor and one of the greatest actors of 20th century. He is best known for his roles as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars and as George Smiley in the BBC miniseries Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
- Edwina Guinnessy: an English actress, model, and philanthropist.
- Jonathan Guinnessy: an Irish artist, writer, and publisher.
- Rupert Guinnessy: an Australian actor and singer known for his role in the musical The Producers.
- Daphne Guinnessy: an Anglo-Irish fashion icon and heiress.
- James Guinnessy: a British politician and businessman.
- Spencer Guinnessy: an English actor, director, producer, and philanthropist.