Surname McCanney - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McCanney: What does the surname McCanney mean?
The last name McCanney is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Annaidh" which translates to "son of Annadh". The name Annadh itself is said to have derived from a Gaelic word "annad" which suggests ‘dam’, ‘dyke’ or ‘rampart’. Though the exact meaning and origin may vary, most sources suggest it represents a familial lineage from a common ancestor named 'Annadh'. As with many Irish surnames, the "Mc" or "Mac" prefix denotes "son of", indicating a patriarchal lineage. Surnames served to connect individuals to their familial lines and were often associated with specific regions in Ireland. Like other surnames, the spelling has been anglicised over the centuries and can be found with variations including McAneny, McAnany, and many others. However, all forms carry the similar sense of historical familial connection and Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCanney: Where does the name McCanney come from?
The last name McCanney is of Irish origin. It is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Mac Cana," consisting of the elements "Mac," meaning "son of," and "Cana," which could potentially be a personal name. The name suggests that the original bearer was a descendant of a person named Cana.
The McCanney surname can also be spelled differently such as McCanny, McCannay, and so on. Because of emigration and the aftermath of the Great Famine in Ireland in the 19th century, Irish surnames like McCanney have spread far from their homeland.
Nowadays, like many other Irish surnames, the name can be found scattered across the globe, often wherever descendants of the Irish diaspora have settled. This includes countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, it remains less common than other Irish surnames. In Ireland itself, the surname persists, particularly in areas with traditionally strong Gaelic influence, such as Ulster.
Variations of the surname McCanney
The surname McCanney is of Irish origin and derives from the Irish surname O'Ceanain. Several variants and spellings may exist due to different geographical locations, linguistic practices and translations, including McCanny, M'Canney, M'Keaney, M'Canny, McCane, McCann, McCown, McKeon, and others.
Sometimes, the ‘Mc’ or 'Mac' prefix, meaning ‘son of’, may be dropped, resulting in Canney, Canny or Keaney. The surname can also appear with an ‘O’ prefix, as in O’Ceanain, which means 'descendant of Ceanain'.
Additionally, Anglicized versions may arise due to a variety of historical reasons, such as the pressure for Irish individuals to "British-ize" their surnames for easier pronunciation, assimilation or to avoid prejudice. Therefore, the surname could manifest in forms like Kenny, Kenney, Keaney, or Keany.
Surnames can also change due to transcription errors, suffix additions or alterations over generations. Surnames of the same origin may have undergone significant changes over time and may not seem related initially. However, tracing lineage and ancestry might reveal connections between them. It is important to note that while these variations likely exist, each individual case might vary and genealogical or historic records should be consulted for accurate verification.
Famous people with the name McCanney
- J.J. McCanney: Irish comedian and writer.
- Paul McCanney: Former British Olympic swimmer.
- Martin McCanney: Former Scottish footballer.
- Mike McCanney: Scottish actor.
- Jane McCanney: American singer and songwriter.
- Andy McCanney: Player in the Welsh rugby team.
- John McCanney: American actor and singer.
- James McCanney: American physicist and professor.
- Terry McCanney: Former Northern Irish professional footballer.
- Aodán McCanney: Film and television producer from Northern Ireland.