Surname Raney - Meaning and Origin

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F. Raney

Raney: What does the surname Raney mean?

The surname Raney is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O Raighne" or "O Raigne". The prefix 'O' denotes 'descendant of', so the name broadly translates to 'descendant of Raighne'. The personal name Raighne is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "rath", meaning "prosperity" or "grace". Therefore, the surname Raney could be understood as 'descendant of the prosperous' or 'descendant of the graceful one'. Over time, the name has variously been anglicized to Rainey, Rany, Rane, and finally to its current form Raney. This surname is predominantly found in the province of Leinster in Ireland. Like many Irish surnames, it has spread to other parts of the world due to emigration, especially during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century. It's important to note that meanings and origins of surnames can be speculative given the complexity and age of linguistic history. Surnames often evolved to suit the particular linguistic, cultural, and geographical contexts in which people lived.

Raney: Where does the name Raney come from?

The last name Raney is most common in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, Raney is the 11,871st most common name in the United States, with a frequency of about 1 in 317,000 people.

It is most common in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Within those states, Raney is significantly more common in counties with large rural populations and small populations as a whole. For instance, in Marion County, TN, it is the 169th most common surname. The most commonly found variant is Rany, with an even higher concentration in the same states.

The surname Raney is one of many forms of the given name Renee, a French name meaning reborn. It dates back to the Middle Ages when it was used in France, and was likely brought to America by French immigrants.

The Raney family is most often of French origin but is also traced to Irish and Scottish families who immigrated to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. In addition, many Raneys were among the earliest settlers of colonial Virginia and can trace their ancestry back to the 1600s.

Variations of the surname Raney

The surname Raney is an often Anglicized spelling of the Old Irish surname O'hEidhin. O'hEidhin is derived from the Gaelic personal name Eidhin, meaning 'Small Fire'. One of the earliest known spellings of the name was O'hAedhian, which dates back to the 13th century. Variations and alternate spellings of the surname Raney, include O'Heffin, O'Hafin, O'Haeyen, O'Hayen, O'Hainey, O'Heary, and Raine. Raney is particularly common in America, due to Irish immigration in the 19th century.

In Ireland, the name Raney predominantly occurs in County Tyrone, County Antrim, and County Donegal, as well as in the provinces of Connacht and Ulster.

In Scotland, the name Raney is of Lowland Scottish origin. The sept of O'hEidhin appears to have been located in the former county of Banffshire and variants of the name appear to have developed independently of their Irish counterparts. In Scotland, spellings of the name include Oheyne, O'Heaney, O'Heen, O'Hien, O'Hnery, O'Heney, Oheen, and Ohene.

In England, spellings of the surname Raney include O'Heyne, O'Hyne, Hine, and Hyne. The name also appears in other countries, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, as a result of emigration.

In conclusion, the surname Raney is a variant of the Old Irish surname O'hEidhin, and is present in many countries today due to emigration. Variants of the name and different spellings include O'Heffin, O'Hafin, O'Haeyen, O'Hayen, O'Hainey, O'Heary, Raine, Oheyne, O'Heaney, O'Heen, O'Hien, O'Hnery, O'Heney, Oheen, Ohene, O'Heyne, O'Hyne, Hine, and Hyne.

Famous people with the name Raney

• Katherine Raney: award-winning American television director.
• Joseph Raney: American heavy metal, thrash metal vocalist and guitarist.
• Kim Raney: singer-songwriter from Australia.
• Torin Raney: American actor and fitness director.
• Hamish Raney: British sailor and Olympian.
• Don Raney: American actor and screenwriter.
• Jorja Raney: American cardiothoracic surgeon.
• Jack Raney: American Hall of Fame racecar driver.
• Leslie Raney: American country music folk singer.
• Kelly Raney: American television and film actress.
• Tim Raney: American music producer and composer.
• Chris Raney: American former professional off-road racing driver.
• Rachel Raney: American actress and model.
• B.J. Raney: American country music singer and songwriter.
• Mike Raney: American real estate investor and philanthropist.
• Todd Raney: American studio director, radio host, licensed minister, and singer.
• Blake Raney: American architecture firm founder.
• Gavin Raney: Australian footballer.
• Collin Raney: American voice audio director.
• Donna Raney: Christian contemporary singer-songwriter.

Other surnames

Ranes