Surname Keney - Meaning and Origin
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Keney: What does the surname Keney mean?
The last name Keney is primarily of Irish and Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old Irish given name Cianán, which in turn derived from the Gaelic "Ceann" meaning "chief" or "near". The name has a long history, being in use during Medieval times in Scotland and Ireland. It is believed to be associated with the Clan Kinneigh, who were a sept (family branch) of the now defunct Clan MacLeod.
The surname is believed to have derived from Kinneigh, a small village located in County Cork, Ireland. The etymology of the name indicates that it may be related to the Gaelic "Ceann", meaning literally "chief" or "near" or conversely "has a head", which refers to a highlander chief in control of the land. The name Keney is also found in England and other parts of the world, indicating that it is likely to have been adopted by Irish immigrants travelling to new lands.
Despite its Irish and Scottish origins, the name is most frequently associated with the United States today, with significant numbers of Keneys living in California, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas. As is true with many Irish names, the spelling has changed over time, with variations such as Kearney, Kenney, Kenning, Kinney, and Kinnie being encountered.
Overall, the name Keney is likely of Irish and Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic "Ceann" with the meaning "chief" or "near". The spelling has changed over time as the name has spread from its original homeland and is now most frequently associated with the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisKeney: Where does the name Keney come from?
The last name Keney is commonly found all over the United States and parts of Canada. The earliest mention of this surname is in 1590, when Henrye Kemys was mentioned in a document from 1590 in Suffolk, England. In the United States, the Keney surname is most abundant in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, with Tennessee and Maryland as the next two states with the most Keney's residing in them.
In Canada, the province of Ontario has the most Keney's living there, followed by British Columbia, Manitoba, and Alberta. Additionally, the Keney name is likely to be found in different parts of Europe, especially in England, Ireland, and Scotland, where it is known to have originated from.
Due to the Keney name’s westward travel with European settlers, the surname is typically found in larger cities, where people are more likely to migrate looking for opportunities. However, the Keney surname can also appear in smaller towns and rural areas throughout the United States and Canada, as well as areas of Europe, as some Keney's are still living in or near the area from which their name originated.
Variations of the surname Keney
The surname Keney is a variant of the surname Kenney and can also be spelled Kennie, Kenny, Kinney, Kinny, Kenay, and Kene.
Originating from Ireland in County Mayo, the surname Keney is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic O Cionnaith, meaning "descendant of Cionnaith" - with Cionnaith meaning a "Wolf Cub". This suggests that the first people to bear the name Keney were the descendants of a famous warrior or chieftain in ancient times.
The spelling variants of the name Keney are many and diverse, some also include Kinnie, Keny, Kene, Kennye, Kennie, McKenney, McNenney, Kinney, Kinnye, Keney, and Kenegha.
The variants of Keney have been used to create an array of surnames, such as Kenney-Fitzgerald, Kenney-Reid, Kenney-Williamson, Kenney-Young, and many more. Other spelling variants have also led to popular surnames such as Kennedy, Kennelly, Kinney, Kenyon, Kenig, and Kenning.
In America, the Keney family name is most often found in California, New York, Florida, Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania, while the Kennies, Kennys, Kinneys, and Keneys are popular in the southern states such as Georgia, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
Variations of the Keney family name can be found in other countries such as Canada, Australia, and the UK.
While the Keney family surname has become associated with people from all walks of life, its Irish heritage continues to live on.
Famous people with the name Keney
- Mike Keney: Homeless Activist advocating for the rights of the homeless. Keney became an inspirational icon for the homeless rights movement after losing the battle with cancer in 2018.
- Katie Keney: US Olympic Runner specializing in the 3000m steeplechase. Keney competed in the 2016 Olympic Trials, and has won multiple NCAA Championships.
- Carole Keney: 13-time National Championship-winning Radio Network Broadcaster specializing in football and women's basketball.
- Anna Keney: Owner of a fashion boutique in Manchester, England. In 2018 she was named one of the most powerful women in fashion.
- Dan Keney: Retired American Football Player. He played in the NFL for the Washington Redskins from 1984-1990.
- John Keney: Renowned American Painter and printmaker of expressionism born in 1959.
- Melanie Keney: Canadian Sculptor and installation artist known for her politically charged works.
- Julian Keney: Canadianborn pop singer and songwriter who released a self-titled EP in 2018.
- Colleen Keney: Harvard Business School graduate and seasoned financial professional with experience in investments and asset management.
- Bill Keney: Emmy-winning Television Producer based in Los Angeles who is best known for his work with HBO, CBS, and NBC.