Surname Carny - Meaning and Origin
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Carny: What does the surname Carny mean?
The last name Carny is a variant of Carnie, which is believed to have originated from Scotland. The name is likely to have occupational roots referring to someone who worked at a carnival or fair. It is derived from the Middle English term "carnay," meaning 'carnival,' which originally stems from the Latin word 'carnem levare,' meaning, ‘to remove the meat’. There are different theories about its meaning, but none can be definitively proven.
It is also thought that the name might have been related to the Old Gaelic 'cearnach', meaning victorious, and could have been given as a nickname to a successful or powerful person.
Origin and meaning of surnames can vary greatly, even between people that share the same surname, as they can originate from different cultures, countries, or occupations at different times in history. Moreover, many surnames have evolved or been modified over time, making it challenging to trace their exact origins and meanings. Hence, it would be wise to trace one's own genealogy to find the exact origin and meaning of their surname.
Order DNA origin analysisCarny: Where does the name Carny come from?
The surname Carny is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic term "Ó Cearnaigh," which means "descendant of Cearnach." The name Cearnach translates as "victorious" in English. The family was historically a part of the Clann Eoghanachta (the Eoghanachta clans) who were descendants of Eoghan Mor, son of the King of Cashel or Munster.
The surname has been anglicized into various forms such as Carney, Kearney, and Cearney over centuries. In the past, the Carny family held a family seat in Leitrim and Cork, and they still have a significant presence in the Leinster and Ulster regions of Ireland.
Today, the surname Carny (and its variations) is common in countries where Irish diaspora have settled, notably America, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, it remains most popular in Ireland. Changes in spelling occurred upon emigration, owing to the different pronunciations and spellings in different countries, making tracking the surname more complex.
Variations of the surname Carny
The surname Carny may be derived from the Irish Gaelic O'Cearnaigh. Variants include the spellings Carney, Kearney, O'Kearney, Keirna, and Kerney. The spelling can also change to Karny or Carnie.
In earlier times, surnames were often adapted to phonetics, leading to changes in spelling when translated between languages or even just between regions. Thus, the original spelling of O'Cearnaigh has evolved over time and across regions.
The O'Cearnaigh clan can trace its origin back to the Irish province of Connacht. The clan was a part of the Ui Fiachrach, known as the descendants of Fiachra, one of the four sons of the legendary King Niall of the Nine Hostages. Over time, branches of the family migrated to other parts of Ireland and adopted variant surnames. Therefore, it is possible that similar Irish surnames such as Kearns or Kearon could have some connection to the original O'Cearnaigh lineage.
It is also worth noting that in Scotland a similar surname, Carnie, originated from the Gaelic word "cairn", meaning a pile of stones, often used as a boundary marker. However, whether the Scottish Carnie and Irish O’Cearnaigh are related is not conclusive.
Famous people with the name Carny
- Art Carney: An American actor and comedian, best known for his role as Ralph Kramden's friend and neighbor Ed Norton in the television series "The Honeymooners." He won an Academy Award for "Harry and Tonto" in 1974.
- Jon Carney: A Professional American football placekicker in the National Football League. He played for teams including the Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers.
- Steve Carney: A retired professional footballer from England. He played as a midfielder for clubs including Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City.
- Brian Carney: An Irish professional rugby league footballer who has also worked as a commentator. He played for Wigan Warriors and Newcastle Knights.
- Paul Carney: An Irish fine artist and painter, who has exhibited internationally and has his works in various public and private collections. This list doesn't include those who spell their last name as "Carney", such as Reeve Carney, an American singer-songwriter and actor, known for his role as Peter Parker in the Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark". Overall, the last name "Carny" or "Carney" is quite common in the arts, sports, and media industry.