Surname McAneny - Meaning and Origin

McAneny: What does the surname McAneny mean?

The surname McAneny is of Irish origin, specifically derived from the Gaelic MacMeanmain, which is composed of the elements "Mac" meaning "son of" and "Meanman" a byname meaning "spirited" or "mettlesome." So, the surname essentially means "son of the spirited one." The spelling has evolved over centuries, resulting in various versions such as McEnaney, McMenamin, McMonamin, and more. Like many Irish surnames, this name is patronymic, meaning it was originally based on the name of the original bearer's father or another male ancestor. These names became hereditary and were passed down through generations, serving to connect individuals to their familial lineage. Geographically, the surname is prevalent in County Donegal, in the northwestern part of Ireland. As with many Irish surnames, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora, particularly during the 19th century during the time of the Great Famine.

McAneny: Where does the name McAneny come from?

The surname McAneny originates from Ireland. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac an Aonaidh, which means "son of the unitary or harmonious one."

Despite its origins, the McAneny surname is not common in Ireland today, primarily due to historical mass emigration from Ireland due to potato famines, economic hardships, and other situations. As a result of this emigration, persons bearing the McAneny name can be found in various countries where Irish emigrants settled, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. However, comprehensive data on where it remains the most common today is not readily available. It is worth noting that the exact spelling might differ slightly among individuals due to variations in translation and anglicization.

The surname is relatively rare, but some notable persons bearing the McAneny name include American urban planner and civil servant George McAneny (1869 – 1953), and Nick McAneny, a British television writer.

Variations of the surname McAneny

The surname McAneny is Irish in origin. Variants and spellings can often vary widely even within families due to historic lack of standardization in spelling. Variants of the McAneny surname include: McAnany, McAneney, MacAneny, MacAnany, McEnany, McEnaney, and MacEnaney. The prefix “Mc” or “Mac” in these names is derived from the Gaelic "Mac" meaning "son of", while the latter parts of the names can translate to "one" in Gaelic. The different versions, particularly those with a switch from 'a' to 'e', could be due to a phonetic translation based on the pronunciation of the name.

As for surnames of the same origin, this would cover a wide range of Irish surnames also starting with "Mc" or "Mac" which signify Irish Gaelic patronymic names. All these variants are associated with the same Irish region, reflecting the local dialect and phonetic spellings. Note, while some variants might have been altered due to migration and localization in different countries, the original roots can be traced back to the same Irish background.

Famous people with the name McAneny

• Marissa McAneny: American actress, known for her roles on the television shows Shameless, How I Met Your Mother, and Dollface
• Reggie McAneny: Former NFL linebacker for the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers
• Patrick McAneny: American actor, known for his roles in The Girl Next Door and both Pitch Perfect films
• Cameron McAneny: Irish rugby player currently playing for Ulster
• Tom McAneny: Lead singer and guitarist of the British indie Pop band King No-One
• Carla McAneny: American journalist and host of the current affairs webseries The News With Carla McAneny
• Sarah McAneny: British writer, director, and producer, best known for her work on the BBC drama series The Village
• Richard McAneny: American lawyer and current CEO of the Silicon Valley-based financial technology company Intuit
• Liz McAneny: Professor of English at Tennessee State University
• A.J. McAneny: American actor, known for his roles in the films War of the Worlds and You Don't Mess With the Zohan

Other surnames

McAnearMcAneenyMcAnellyMcAneney