Surname Hennessy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hennessy: What does the surname Hennessy mean?
The last name Hennessy is an anglicised form of the Irish surname Ó hAonghusa, which came from a Gaelic clan of County Cork, in the south of Ireland. This Irish name means ‘son of Angus’, and was a reference to Angus, an ancient Irish warrior deity from centuries past. He was an important figure in Irish mythology; and tales of his conquests and achievements were held in high esteem by later generations.
In the 1800s, many Irish families emigrated due to political and economic hardships, and the surname spread throughout the world. Hennessy families in the United States, for instance, were particularly prominent during the 19th century. The Irish tradition of storytelling and celebration of ancient heroes was preserved and passed down through generations, with many tales of Angus being inscribed in Irish folklore.
The Hennessy surname is also a representation of strength and resiliency. It’s a testament to the endurance of the Irish people and their culture, which is often symbolised through Ireland’s rich and storied mythology. In tune with the famous Irish proverb “You can take the man out of Ireland, but you can’t take Ireland out of the man”, the Hennessy name embodies the Irish spirit of self-determination, and the will to succeed despite any challenge.
Order DNA origin analysisHennessy: Where does the name Hennessy come from?
The last name Hennessy is most prevalent today in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Hennessy is an anglicized form of the Gaelic "O' hAonghusa," which refers to a clan of people believed to have originated in southeastern Ireland in counties Tipperary and Waterford. Within the U.K., Hennessy is most widely found in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with less prevalence in Scotland.
According to the 2020 British census, it is the 276th most common surname in the U.K., with approximately 7,351 people having the surname. In the Republic of Ireland, Hennessy is among the top 30 common surnames, with a total of 7,684 individuals bearing the name at the time of the last census.
The Hennessy name is also found throughout many other countries, due to immigration patterns over the centuries. The U.S. Census estimates the Hennessy name has been established for over 200 years and it is the 1338th most common last name in the United States. Other countries with sizable Hennessy populations include Canada, Australia, and France.
Variations of the surname Hennessy
The surname Hennessy has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The alternate spellings are Heaney, Henesy, Hennessey, Hennesey, Henness, Hennes, Hennesy, Hennesy, Hennessie, and Hennessey.
The related surnames of Hennessy are Haney, Hainey, Hanney, Hand, Hennes, Hennieghen, Henney, Hennick, Hennescy, Henick, Henney, Heaney, Hennesy, Henesey, Hennessey, Hennesey, Hannissy, Henness and Hennesy.
These surnames all originate in County Mayo, Ireland. In the late 1700s the surname Hennessy began to expand across the Irish counties and eventually spread throughout the world. The most common variant is ‘Heaney’ and is likely the oldest of the variants as many of the oldest Hennessy families in Ireland can be traced back to Mayo.
The variants of Hennessy developed over time in different parts of the country and beyond, and were sometimes changed depending on the dialect of the area. Additionally, many names were changed by immigration officials when the Hennessy’s arrived in other countries, such as the United States of America and Canada.
It is unclear when surname variants began to appear, but it is likely that it was around the same time as the expansion of the Hennessy family across Ireland. Over time, the variants of this surname have become increasingly common.
Famous people with the name Hennessy
- Conor Hennessy: Irish-American physician and ex-naturalist
- Gavin Hennessy: Irish American entrepreneur and venture capitalist
- Maura Hennessy: Irish American actress and producer
- Peter Hennessy: British historian and former journalist
- Rich Hennessy: American businessman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hennessy
- Patrick Hennessy: Irish businessman and politician
- John Hennessy: American electrical engineer, computer scientist, successful entrepreneur
- Nick Hennessy: British street artist, illustrator, and printmaker
- G. F. Hennessy: Irish artist
- Douglas Hennessy: British sculptor and designer
- James Hennessy: American artist
- Lindsay Hennessy: British television presenter and radio host
- Mickey Hennessy: Canadian hockey player
- Mary Hennessy: Irish author
- Caleb Hennessy: American child actor