Surname Guynee - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Guynee: What does the surname Guynee mean?
The last name Guynee (sometimes spelled Guinee, Guinney, or Gwynne) is derived from the Old French guinea or guine, which means “fair-haired” or “blond.” Guynee may refer to someone of a fair-haired complexion, or to an English person of Welsh descent (in which case it would be a anglicized form of the Welsh name gwyn, meaning ‘white’ or ‘fair’).
We can trace the name back to the 11th century, where it first appeared in Old French records, which indicate that the surname was in use as early as 1066. It is likely that this family was of Norman-French descent, as French was the language of the Normans.
As the surname spread across Europe, it became more or less localized in different countries. In England, Guynee has been found in records from the twelfth century. It is most common in the West Country, particularly Devon and Cornwall, as well as in thearea of Cheshire.
In Scotland, the name can be found in records dating back to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
The Guynee surname is still in use in many parts of the world, in countries such as the United States, England, France, and Australia. It continues to represent a fair, blond complexion and a strong link to a French-Norman heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisGuynee: Where does the name Guynee come from?
The last name Guynee is most common today in the United States and parts of Canada. Guynee is believed to be an anglicized version of the French surname Guyon. It is an ancient Norman name stemming from the French region of Normandy. Although the exact origin is unknown, it has likely been in use since the Middle Ages.
The earliest recorded use of the surname Guynee was in 1614, when a John Guynee was listed in the archives of Kent County, England. The name then spread to other parts of Europe and to the United States.
Today, the Guynee name usually is pronounced with a hard g, sometimes as "gah-nee" or "gown-ee”. There are many spellings of the name, however, including Guiney, Gueaney, Goyne, Guigné, Gawen, Goyeau, Goyau and Goyneau, and the spelling can even vary within a single family.
The 2000 U.S. Census found that there were almost 4,000 people with the Guynee surname. Most were concentrated in the Northeastern United States, primarily in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. In terms of states, its highest concentration was in Vermont with 7.96 per 1,000 people in 2000.
The Guynee surname is derived from a Norman occupational name for a cup-bearer, or someone responsible for serving beverages at banquets for the lord. Today, the Guynee surname isn’t widely known, but it still stands as a testament to its French roots and Norman heritage.
Variations of the surname Guynee
The surname Guynee can take on several different forms such as Guinney, Guiny, Guiney, Gwynny, Gwinney, and Gwinny, which are all related spellings of the same surname. Guynee is also thought to be derived from several different sources. While some believe the origins of the name are of French backgrounds, others believe it to be of German and Welsh origins. As such, variations of the name may be seen as Guynn (German), Guynne (Welsh), Gwyn (Welsh), Gwynne (Welsh), and Guyn (French).
The spelling of Guynee may also be related to other surnames, most commonly names such as Guinee, Gine, and Ginee, which are of Norman French origins. Similarly, Guyon which is a French origin titled surname can also be derived from the Guynee spelling, as well as Guin, a surname which originates from Scottish Gaelic.
Given the origin of the surname Guynee, it is likely that its variants may also be found outside of the United Kingdom. In the United States of America, for example, the surname may be spelled as Guanay, Gwinay, Gwinney, or Geinay, while in Ireland, it may be spelt as Guinea or Gwina. The Guynee spelling is also seen in other parts of Europe, such as in Germany where it may take on the form of Guyn, Gün, Günn, or Guenne.
In conclusion, the variations of the surname Guynee are numerous and the range of spellings is vast. Through its various spellings and surnames, it is thought to be of French, Welsh, and German origins and may be found worldwide.
Famous people with the name Guynee
- Louis Guynee: French-Canadian actor, producer, director, and screenwriter who is known for his work in the film industry, including projects such as “L’Oiseau Rouge”, “Saint-Martin,” and “De Broderies et des Arts”.
- Sandy Guynee: Singer, songwriter, guitar player, bandleader and music producer who has worked with famed Canadian musicians such as Celine Dion, Sarah McLachlan, KD Lang, and Gordon Lightfoot.
- Jason Guynee: Actor and director who is best known for his roles in films such as “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and “The Equalizer”.
- Francis Guynee: French-Canadian author, composer, and Television personality most famous for his roles on the CBC programs “L’Heure de Grand-Mere” and “Le Petit Monde”.
- Robert Guynee: Professional hockey player who is currently playing for the Gatineau Olympiques in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
- Laurent Guynee: French-Canadian actor who is mostly known for his roles in TV series such as “Soupirs et Applaudissements” and “Les Coquillettes”
- Emanuel Guynee: International chess champion who is currently ranked in the top 5 players in the world.
- Fred Guynee: Stand-up comedian who was a finalist on the hit CBC show “So You Think You’re Funny?”
- Pierre Guynee: French-Canadian filmmaker and screenwriter who is best known for his feature length films “Le Stoele et la Viarge” and “L’Absolutisme”.