Surname McQueeney - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McQueeney: What does the surname McQueeney mean?
The last name McQueeney is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Suibhne," which is comprised of two elements - "Mac" meaning "son of" and "Suibhne" translating to "pleasant". The name is believed to originate from the branch of the MacSweeney family who settled in Connacht, Ireland. Over time, the pronunciation and spelling of the name underwent various changes, including the formation of McQueeney. Like many surnames, McQueeney would have been used to identify members of the same family, particularly in situations where many people shared the same first name. The meaning of the name, therefore, holds historical significance and reflects social customs of ancestral family lines. As with all surnames, it's possible that there are other origins or meanings connected with the name McQueeney, reflecting different families' experiences and histories.
Order DNA origin analysisMcQueeney: Where does the name McQueeney come from?
The last name McQueeney is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Guine, which means "son of Guine". Guine could be a version of the Welsh name "Gwyn", meaning "white or blessed", or it could also be derived from "Coinín", a diminutive form of the Gaelic "Conn", meaning "chief". Therefore, the name McQueeney could possibly translate to "Son of the White" or "Son of the Chief." It is an anglicized version of the Old Gaelic name that was typically found in places where Gaelic was widely spoken such as Ireland and Scotland.
Today, the surname McQueeney is quite rare and is most common in the United States, specifically in the state of New York. Other places where the surname can be found include Australia and Canada, although in smaller numbers. Despite its Irish origin, the surname is not very common in Ireland at present.
Variations of the surname McQueeney
The surname McQueeney traces its origin back to Ireland and is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "Mac Shuibhne," which initially meant "son of Suibhne." The personal name Suibhne means "pleasant."
Both McQueeney and its variants come from anglicization, a process where names from different languages are changed to be more English. This surname has several spelling variations due to scribes and church officials frequently spelling the name phonetically as it sounded to them.
Some different spelling variants for McQueeney include McSweeney, MacSweeney, MacSweeny, MacSwyny, MacSwiny, MacSwine, MacSwiney, McSwine, McSwiney, Swiney, Swinney and many more. The prefix 'Mac' can also be replaced by 'Mc' in many cases. Different subgroups have also developed particular variants as a result of geographical seclusion in different parts of Ireland - such as Sweeney in Donegal and Swiney in Cork.
Surname variations often come from the original bearer of the surname deciding to translate the name to English, resulting in names like the English equivalent of McQueeney, which is 'son of Suibhne.'
Each variant of McQueeney carries the cultural richness of a storied past that marked Irish history, migration, and anglicization.
Famous people with the name McQueeney
- Sean McQueeney: former professional American football player in the National Football League.
- Bill McQueeney: former Major League Baseball player.
- Clifton McQueeney: former dancing sensation who appeared on the show, “Dancing with the Stars.”
- Jack McQueeney: award-winning actor known for his roles in films such as ‘Independence Day’ and ‘The Last of Us.’
- Rory McQueeney: actor who has appeared on numerous television shows, including ‘Glee’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’
- David McQueeney: Disney animator most famous for his work in films such as ‘Aladdin’ and ‘The Lion King.’
- Edward McQueeney: Grammy Award-winning bassist and multi-instrumentalist who has performed with a variety of popular musicians.
- Michael McQueeney: founder of the Tampa Bay Brewing Company and the award-winning Sea Dog Brewing Company.
- Larry McQueeney: singer and songwriter who has released several albums and toured the country playing his music.
- Billy McQueeney: American composer and musician best known for his work on soundtracks for films such as ‘The Incredibles’ and ‘Mission Impossible.’