Surname Sweeney - Meaning and Origin

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O. Sweeney

Sweeney: What does the surname Sweeney mean?

Sweeney is an Irish surname that has its origins in the Gaelic language. Its original form is 'Mac Suibhne', meaning 'son of Suibhne'. The personal name Suibhne is thought to mean 'pleasant' or 'well-disposed'. The Irish clan from whom the Sweeney surname derives were based in Donegal in the northwest of Ireland. Variations of the surname includes MacSweeney, Swiney, and others, showing a diverse adaptation throughout history and migration. Over time, the last name has spread to other parts of the world, including Scotland and the United States, due to Irish emigration. Regardless of its variations, the Sweeney name carries a strong link to Irish history and culture.

Sweeney: Where does the name Sweeney come from?

The last name Sweeney is quite common today and can be found in many countries around the world. In Ireland, it is one of the twenty most popular surnames and is especially prevalent in the counties of Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Tipperary, and Waterford. In the United States, most people with the last name Sweeney are of Irish descent and the surname can be found in large numbers in many eastern states, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts.

In the UK, Sweeney is a popular last name among those of both Irish and English origin, with its presence particularly strong in Lancashire and Greater Manchester where it is one of the sixty most common surnames. Similarly, Sweeney is among the top sixty most popular surnames in Australia, especially iin the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

In Canada, Sweeney has been carried by wave after wave of Irish immigrants and is particularly common in Toronto, where it is the 50th most popular surname. It is also one of the top one-hundred most common surnames in New Zealand, especially in Auckland and Wellington.

Overall, the last name Sweeney can be found all around the world today, especially in countries which have traditionally received large numbers of Irish immigrants.

Variations of the surname Sweeney

The surname Sweeney is thought to have originated in Ireland and can trace its roots to ancient Gaelic septs, where it has several possible spellings and variants.

The original spelling of the name was Ó Suibhne, and some of its variants include Sweeny, Swinny, Swinney, Sweenie, Svanni, Suinni, and O'Swnee. The surname became more widespread upon the arrival of Irish emigrants to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Another variant, O'Sionnaigh, has also been associated with the O'Sweeney family. This version of the name was traditionally used by the Gaelic poets of Ireland and can be found in numerous records from medieval Ireland.

Other spellings and variants of the name are Sweeneye, Swney, Sweany, Swanie, and Sweney.

Sweeney is also sometimes used as a first name. This happened when families with the surname adopted the naming customs of other American settlers from New England. In these cases, 'Sweeney' can sometimes be anglicized as 'Hugh' or 'Kenneth.'

It is possible to encounter the surname Sweeney, or its various spellings, in many English-speaking countries. In particular, one can find it in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, and Australia.

Famous people with the name Sweeney

• Padraic Sweeney: Irish politician
• Billy Sweeney: English professional footballer
• Alan Sweeney: American college baseball head coach
• Declan Sweeney: Irish actor
• Carrie Sweeney: American Broadway actress
• Jack Sweeney: American actor
• Aidan Sweeney: Irish footballer
• Gemma Sweeney: British actress
• Dan Sweeney: American Major League Baseball pitcher
• Steve Sweeney: American comedian and actor

Other surnames

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