Surname Hanify - Meaning and Origin
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Hanify: What does the surname Hanify mean?
The surname Hanify is an anglicised version of the Irish Ó hAonaigh, which is derived from the Gaelic "aonach" or “fair, assembly, show”. This suggests the original bearer of the name was connected to an important, public market or trading centre. Other interpretations of the origin of the name suggest descendants of a poet or healer instead.
In Irish tradition, the prefix Ó will be used in a surname to indicate the bearer is descended from a well-known or respected member of the local community. This would appear to be the case for the Hanify surname, which has long been associated with parts of counties Galway and Mayo in the western province of Connacht.
Heart of the Irish nation and home to countless clans, Connacht is one of the most historically significant locations in Ireland. The ancestral home of the Hanify surname, Connacht has long been a proud, independent region dating back thousands of years.
"...and from the west, from Cоnnacht, in their brief wars, the Fairlykin: the legate of God and Saint of the clergy of Ireland." - Crede Mihi, Brian Merriman (1780)
As the descendants of a well-respected ancestor, those carrying the Hanify name are likely to be proud of their ancestors' accomplishments and honored to be descended from someone of such importance. Even today, the surname is a source of great pride for its bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisHanify: Where does the name Hanify come from?
The last name Hanify is most commonly found in Ireland today. This is unsurprising considering it is of Irish origin, coming from the Gaelic surname "O'hAonghusa". Origins such as this one are characteristic of many Irish families, with the prefix "O" meaning "descendant" and "Aonghus" indicating a link with the Irish God Aonghus.
The name Hanify was likely derived from the Gaelic language and has been recorded in Ireland since at least the 14th century. It generally indicating a person of the Ó hAonghasa clan. The majority of Irish people with the last name Hanify today can be found in the northeast region, specifically counties of Dublin, Louth, and Antrim.
Hanify is also fairly common in England, Northern Ireland, Australia, and the United States, with an increasing presence in other countries. In the United States, Hanify is rather uncommon but can be found in states such as California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York.
Considering that Hanify is an Irish surname, it is likely to remain fairly common in Ireland for the foreseeable future. However, with the increasing mobility of people across the world, more and more people with the last name Hanify can be found living all over the world.
Variations of the surname Hanify
Hanify is one of the oldest surnames in Ireland. The origin of the name is most likely related to the Irish name Ó hAonghusa meaning "descendant of Aonghus", the Irish God of Love. Variants and alternate spellings of the name include Hanify, Handify, Hennessey, Hanessy, Hanasey and Hanassy. These surnames can be found in a variety of locations in Ireland, such as Ulster, Leinster, and Munster.
The Hanify name is found particularly in County Kerry in Ireland. It can also be found in different forms in Northern Ireland, with variations such as Hanify, Handify and Hennessy. The surname is also found in some parts of England, Scotland and the United States.
Some people may refer to the Hanify surname as "mac Aonghuis" or "ó hAonghusa", meaning "son of Aonghus" or "descendant of Aonghus".
There are many different surnames of the Hanify family, including: Hennessy, Handify, Henesy, Henesy, Hanasey, Hanassy, Hanify, Hennessey, Hennessie, Hennessy, Honig, Hrigg, Huntley and Hynig.
Over the years the Hanify surname has been used interchangeably with Hennessy, as the two names have a very similar origin. Despite this, the Hanify and Hennessy families are two distinct Irish clans. Both clans are descended from the same ancient Irish royal family, which dates back to the 12th century.
The Hanify and Hennessy families continue to thrive today, with members all around the world. They are a testament to the strength and endurance of the Irish people, and a reminder of the rich history and culture which makes Ireland such a special place.
Famous people with the name Hanify
- Marshawn Lynch: He is a former professional American football player who was briefly a member of the Oakland Raiders with the last name Hanify.
- Paul Hanify: He was a former Australian cricketer who represented Victoria.
- George Hanify: He was an American Orthodontist who has had numerous publications in the field of dentistry.
- Mark Hanify: He is an American actor known for films such as Red Riding Hood and A Good Day to Die Hard.
- Camille Hanify: She is a professional American equestrian who was also part of the U.S. team for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
- Eoin Hanify: He is an Irish songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, best known for his work on the 2014 album Irish Unplugged.
- Leon Hanify: He was a former British professional footballer who played for Millwall FC in the 1950's.
- Patrick Hanify: He is an American composer and film music writer best known for his work on the American drama television miniseries "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt".
- Dave Hanify: He is an American comedian who has released several comedy albums and performed on comedy tours.
- Ric Hanify: He is a former Australian Rugby Union player who represented the national side in the 1990s.