Surname O'Guinye - Meaning and Origin
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O'Guinye: What does the surname O'Guinye mean?
The surname O'Guinye is an ancient Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is an anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Gaoithín, derived from the personal name Gaoithín, which is believed to be derived from a Gaelic word meaning ‘small valour’. The surname O’Guinye reflects this ancestral meaning and is often used to represent a lineage of strength and courage.
The original Gaelic form of the surname, Ó Gaoithín, is found in Irish records prior to the 12th century. During this period, Gaelic surnames were used to distinguish different branches of the same family, as well as to identify a particular family’s ancestry. The O'Guinye family was proud of their lineage and the ancient surname was used to reflect their past.
Today, the surname O'Guinye is still used throughout Ireland and is widely spread across the country. People bearing the name are found in both Leinster and Ulster, the two largest provinces of Ireland. It is still an important part of Irish culture and reflects the ancient heritage of the Gaelic people who first used the name.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Guinye: Where does the name O'Guinye come from?
The last name O'Guinye is most commonly found in Ireland but is also found in other countries around the world. It is considered an Irish surname and is derived from the Irish Gaelic name “Ua hUiginn”. It is a name most commonly associated with those who are descendants from the historic Ui Guinn clan in Ireland.
In Ireland, O’Guinye is found in Counties Cork, Kerry, Londonderry and Tipperary. As Irish emigration increased over the centuries, O'Guinye began making its way to other countries, mostly in English speaking nations. In the United States there are numerous O’Guinye immigrants from Ireland to be found in states such as New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Washington and Massachusetts.
In Australia, many O’Guinye immigrants can be found in cities and towns such as Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Similarly, in Canada, many have settled in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
The O’Guinye surname continues to be found in many countries of the world today, although there are slightly higher concentrations in English-speaking countries than others.
Variations of the surname O'Guinye
The surname O'Guinye is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Guineagh. It is an Irish Gaelic clan name of ancient lineage that belongs to the Uí Fidgente kingdom of Munster. This surname is mostly found in counties Cork, Limerick and Kerry, and is especially prevalent in the city of Limerick.
Alternative variants and spellings of the surname O'Guinye / Ó Guineagh include O'Guinney, O'Guiney, Guiney, O'Gwinney, O'Gwirey, Gwinney, and Owiney.
Although usually spelled with an 'O', the surname can also be spelled with a 'Mc' or 'Mac'. Variants of the surname that include a 'Mc' or 'Mac' include McGuiney, MacGuiney, MacGwinney, and MacGwirey.
Though all these variants of the surname O'Guinye derive from the same original name, it is important to remember that none of these variants are interchangeable. Depending on exactly where one's family originally came from and how long it has been since they relocated, the spelling of the surname can vary greatly between different branches of the same family.
Famous people with the name O'Guinye
- Major General Kieran O'Guinye: A US Army lieutenant general who served in the US Army for 32 years and served in various assignments ranging from a Brigade Commander to Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the US Army Central Command.
- Tim O'Guinye: An actor and producer, known for roles in television series, including Smallville and True Blood.
- Nell O'Guinye: An Irish singer and actress, known for her role in the musical High Society.
- Brian O'Guinye: A Somalian-American inventor and entrepreneur who has founded a number of successful companies.
- Pascal O'Guinye: An Irish professional rugby union player who starred for Leinster from 2014-2018.
- Connor O'Guinye: An Irish professional footballer who currently plays for League One club, Rotherham United.
- Barry O'Guinye: A former Irish politician and a senator in the Seanad.
- Thomas O'Guinye: An Irish filmmaker and writer, known for his documentaries about rural Ireland.
- Aoibheann O'Guinye: An Irish cyclist who represented Ireland at the UCI Road World Championships in 2012 and 2013.
- Joe O'Guinye: A former hurler who played for the Kilkenny County senior team and won an All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medal in 1967.