Surname Kneafsey - Meaning and Origin
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Kneafsey: What does the surname Kneafsey mean?
The last name Kneafsey is an Irish surname. It is a translation of the Irish phrase Cinnéise meaning "noble family". This likely refers to the Ancient Irish name Cinél i.e. "the people of God".
The Irish branch of the Kneafsey name is believed to originate with the eponymous ancestor Ó Cinnéidigh, (son of Kiné) who was a member of the Gaelic royal house of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe, located in what is now Mayo, Ireland. From this noble family, the last name Kneafsey was adopted over time, likely due to the use of Cinél, the ancient Irish name, as a patronymic (a name derived from an ancestor’s given name).
Throughout the years, the Kneafsey surname has spread to various other countries, including England, Scotland, and the United States and today may be found all over the world. As a result, the meaning behind the surname has been lost to some, and has become a mystery to many. Even so, the last name still continues to appear in Irish records, for example, in 19th century Irish birth records and census documents, suggesting that the name is deeply tied to Ireland.
Most prominently, the Kneafsey name is said to represent a long line of nobilities and warriors, and to those of Irish heritage, the name will retain its original patriotic meaning of Cinél, the people of God.
Order DNA origin analysisKneafsey: Where does the name Kneafsey come from?
The last name Kneafsey is an Irish surname, originated from the ancient Gaelic “O'Cnaimhsi”. This name is derived from the Irish “cnaimh”, which means “wasp”. The Kneafsey spelling first appeared in Connacht, mainly around the counties of Galway and Mayo.
Today, the surname Kneafsey is most commonly found in the United States but has spread worldwide to Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Ireland. The name is not overly common in any country, with an approximate population of 5,000 people worldwide today.
In the United States, the top states with the most people named Kneafsey include New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and California. However, Kneafseys are scattered throughout the entire nation, with records even showing individuals living in Alaska.
While rare, the Kneafsey name has spread worldwide and has thrived despite its small numbers. Additionally, it’s believed that in some cases the spelling has been anglicized to different versions including Knafsey, Knefsky, and Navisky. As a result, more individuals than just the 5,000 tracked individuals may be found with the name.
Variations of the surname Kneafsey
Kneafsey is an uncommon Irish surname. It is derived from the Gaelic surname "Mac Néasaidh." The surname is most commonly found in the Limerick and Tipperary counties of Ireland and is typically represented in the anglicized form of Kneafsey.
The variants of Kneafsey include Kneaffy, Kniffy, MacNeaffy, McNeiffy, McNiffy, MacNiffy, and MacNeife. All of these spellings are derived from the original Gaelic form and denote the same origin. In addition, variations such as Neify, Neasy, Neeson, and Nea can be seen.
The most common spelling of Kneafsey nowadays is McNiffy, however, variants such as Kneaffy, Kniffy, and MacNiffy appear in older records. It is important to note that many variants of Kneafsey are known to exist.
In terms of surnames, there are several variants of Kneafsey. These are Kneasey, Neasey, Kneassy, McNeiffey, Neefsy, Neifey, Neiffy, Neefe, and Naffy. All surnames of the same origin as Kneafsey.
Overall, Kneafsey is an uncommon Irish surname with many distinct variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is important to note that these variants, spellings, and surnames can be found in older records and are likely to remain prevalent in the future.
Famous people with the name Kneafsey
- Aidan Kneafsey: an Irish actor who has appeared in several films and television shows including Cottage Country, X-Men: First Class, Filth, Sherlock, and Handyman.
- Tom Kneafsey- an English actor known for roles in television shows such as Roy, Roses of Eyam, and EastEnders.
- Philip Kneafsey: a British film and television director who has directed shows such as Road, Casualty, and the 2004 British film Trouble with Sex.
- Bryony Kneafsey: a British actor, who is best-known for appearing in the 2006 film Alfie as the character Wilkinson's Girl.
- Charlie Kneafsey: a British actor and writer who has starred in shows including Rain Man, Michiel’s Fantastic Film Fiasco, Rich House, Poor House, and Toby’s Travelling Circus.
- Kate Kneafsey: an American actress who has had roles in films such as Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic.
- Peadar Kneafsey: an Irish actor who has starred in films such as Story of John Meehan, Puzzle, and Truth or Dare.
- Jerry Kneafsey: an Irish actor who has been featured in films such as Cumar, Once Upon a Time in Dublin, and Emma Jane Un inhabitant.
- David Kneafsey: an Irish artist and filmmaker, known for his works 'How Hot Is Too Hot?' and 'For Mona, With Love'.
- Ed Kneafsey: an English film and television producer, who is best-known for producing the 2009 film An Education.