Surname McNerney - Meaning and Origin
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McNerney: What does the surname McNerney mean?
The last name McNerney is believed to be of Irish or Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Airchinnigh, which means “son of the heir of the church.” The surname is believed to have originated in the Northern Isles of Scotland, where one of the tribes of the ancient Picts maintained the old form of Celtic worship.
The McNerney family was recorded in the Irish counties of Carlow and Cork in the late 16th century. There were also recorded in the Scots Isles of the Hebrides. By the turn of the 19th century, the McNerneys had emigrated to the United States and Canada.
Today, the descendants of the McNerneys can be found in many countries around the world, but most prominently in the United States, Canada, and the UK. In each place, they have continued to contribute to society through work, charity, and other pursuits.
The McNerney name carries with it a long history of hard work, dedication, and loyalty. Those who bear the last name are proud of their heritage and pass its traditions onto future generations. Whether they are descended from ancient Irish or Scottish clans, or immigrants who emigrated in the 19th century, descendants of the McNerney family are sure to honor their history for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMcNerney: Where does the name McNerney come from?
The last name McNerney can be found today primarily in the United States and Ireland. In the United States, it appears the most in the Midwestern and Southeastern regions, particularly Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, and Missouri.
In the U.S., the surname ranking website Forebears ranks it 14,972nd most common, with a probability of it occurring at 1 in 126,078. This same site indicates the highest concentration of the surname in the United States is in New York. In the Irish census, the name is much more common, ranking 265th most popular with a frequency of 2,786.
The history of the surname McNerney traces back to County Clare, Ireland, where the McNerney family was first established. The roots of the McNerney name lie in the old Gaelic Septs, making it distinctively Irish. It is also a branch of the larger O’Nesmith family.
McNerney emigrated from Ireland to the U.S. in high numbers in the 1840s during the Irish potato famine. It is in the U.S. where the surname has spread the most. McNerney is the anglicized version of the original Gaelic form Mac an Airchinnigh, meaning son of the viceroy.
Variations of the surname McNerney
The surname McNerney is an Anglicised form of the Irish surname Mac an Airchinnigh, which means "son of the chieftain". The variants and spellings for this surname include Mcnerney, Macanery, Macaneary, Macannery, MacAnerney, Macenerny, Macennery, Macenrney, MacNairney, MacNareny, McNairy, Mcnearney, and McNerney.
In some cases, the surname was changed to various other spellings such as "McMurry" or "MacMurray". Also, due to phonetic changes, the Irish surname has also evolved into other surnames such as "McAnarney", "McAnery", "McNamee", as well as "McNamerty".
The Macan Airchinnigh origin of the surname McNerney means that this surname is closely related to, and part of the extended family of the Irish Airchinnigh clan or sept. The Airchinnigh family originated in From the modern day baronies of Tirawley, County Mayo, and Erris, County Mayo, and Dunmore, County Galway. The sept were a subordinate dynasty to the powerful O' Malley clan.
The McNerney surname is found predominantly in Irish-America, and also part of the Irish diaspora in Canada, England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and France. The numbers of McNerney's actually living in Ireland today is limited, due to the mass emigration of Irish people during the 19th century.
Famous people with the name McNerney
- James McNerney Jr.: James McNerney Jr. served as the CEO of The Boeing Company from 2005 to 2015.
- Alan McNerney: Alan McNerney is an American politician who is the current Representative for California's 9th congressional district.
- John McNerney: John McNerney was a stage actor and producer in the early to late 20th century. 4.]; Fintan McNerney: Fintan McNerney is an Irish former Gaelic football player who served as the goalkeeper of the Offaly senior football team from 2000 to 2004.
- M. J. McNerney: M. J. McNerney is an American author of historical fiction and fantasy novels.
- Maureen McNerney: Maureen McNerney is an American painter and illustrator, best known for her pastel drawings and depictions of nature.
- James McNerney: James McNerney was the president and CEO of 3M from 2001 to 2005.
- Mary McNerney: Mary McNerney is an American actress who is best known for her role in the sitcom Suddenly Susan.
- Peter McNerney: Peter McNerney is an Australian soldier, best known as a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry that can be given to a member of the Australian Defense Force.
- Lisa McNerney: Lisa McNerney is an American former competitive ice skater.