Surname Sweaney - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Sweaney: What does the surname Sweaney mean?
Sweaney is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Suibhne, which means "descendant or grandson of Suibhne." The personal name Suibhne is derived from "suibhne," meaning "pleasant." Unlike many other Irish names, which are associated with specific clans or geographical regions in Ireland, the name Sweaney emerged in various areas of the country, primarily in Donegal, Cork, and Wexford, reflecting its derivation from a popular personal name rather than a clan or place. It is worth noting that spelling variations, including Sweeney, Suiney and Swiney, among others, are common, reflecting the transliteration from Gaelic to English. Besides its Irish origin, there's also a possibility of it being derived from Old Norse, from the name "Sveinn," meaning "boy," which was a common given name among the Norsemen that settled in different parts of Ireland and Britain.
Order DNA origin analysisSweaney: Where does the name Sweaney come from?
Sweaney is a surname that is not as common today as it once was, but it does have a presence in certain countries around the world. Sweaney is a variant of the surname Sweeney, which is of Irish origin. In Ireland, the surname Sweeney is particularly common in County Mayo and County Galway. In the United Kingdom, Sweeney is also a common surname. It can be found mainly in the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, as well as in London.
Sweaney can also be found in Australia and the United States. In Australia, the surname is common in Victoria, and in the United States, Sweaney is found in many of the states. Some of the strongest populations are in California, Texas, and New York. In Canada, Sweeney is found in all of the provinces, although it is particularly strong in Ontario and British Columbia.
The origin of the name Sweaney is unclear, but it likely has roots in the old Gaelic term for a hero. The Sweaney surname is believed to have originated in Ireland, and was brought to other countries during the period of Irish emigration. Although the surname is not as commonly found today, the legacy of the Sweaney family can still be seen in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Sweaney
The surname Sweaney is an Anglo-Saxon name with several variants and spellings. Variations of the surname include Swaney, Sweeny, Sweney, Sweany, and Sweeney. The spelling of the surname is thought to be derived from the Old English personal name Sweina.
The Sweaney surname is believed to have originated in County Roscommon, Ireland. While the name is not particularly common, it is mainly found along the western coast of Ireland, particularly in Mayo and Roscommon.
In England, the record of the surname Sweaney is most prevalent in Lancashire and Yorkshire, two counties in the north of England. Sweeny and Sweny are recognized as the most common spellings of the surname within England.
The Sweaney name has also made its way to the United States since the 18th century. Irish immigrants to the United States brought names like Sweeny, Sweney, and Sweaney.
In the United States, the Sweaney name is also found in Pennsylvania. During the 19th century, many Irish emigrated to the coal mining regions of Pennsylvania, bringing along names like Sweeny, Sweany, and Sweeney.
Other variants of the Sweaney surname can be found across the world, such as Sweney and Sweeny in Australia, and Sweany in Scotland and Wales.
Famous people with the name Sweaney
- James Sweaney: American actor best known for his work on the television soap opera Santa Barbara.
- James Sweaney: English professional golfer who has represented Wales in several tournaments.
- Teresa Sweaney: British film and television actress.
- Pete Sweaney: American musician and member of the rock band The Silver Stones.
- Toni Sweaney: British athlete who won gold medals in the high jump at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.
- RyanSweaney: Australian rugby league footballer who played professionally for the Melbourne Storm.
- ArtemSweaney: American drag racer who has won multiple National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) titles.
- KiraSweaney: Canadian figure skater who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics for Canada.
- RobSweaney: English cricketer who plays for Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
- BradSweaney: American former NFL player who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns.