Surname Cooney - Meaning and Origin

'Redefining Cooney: How My iGENEA DNA Results Transformed My Perspective on My Surname and Family History'

DNA revelations transform the way I perceive my identity and family background. Just a surname 'Cooney' now translates into an enriched family narrative, unfurling from the Celtic roots, as certified by the iGENEA DNA test.

J. Cooney

Cooney: What does the surname Cooney mean?

The surname Cooney is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Cuana", which means "descendant of Cuana". The name Cuana itself is thought to be composed of the elements "Cu", meaning 'hound', and a diminutive suffix "-an", which can imply affection or endearment. Thus, a loose translation of the surname might be "little beloved hound" or "descendant of the beloved hound". It is believed that the name may associate with the characteristics attributed to a hound such as loyalty and courage. The Cooney family originated from County Tyrone in Ireland, their family seat located at Lisdoo. Over centuries, due to social, economic, and political circumstances, bearers of the name have migrated, spreading the surname globally. Today, you'll find people with the Cooney surname residing in many parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, among others. Remember, surname meanings are a blend of folklore, historical fact, and linguistic conjecture, so origins can be challenging to prove definitively.

Cooney: Where does the name Cooney come from?

The surname Cooney is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name O'Cuana. The name means descendants of Cuana, who was a nobleman or a chieftain in ancient Ireland. There are different branches of the Cooney family in Ireland, primarily found in the provinces of Ulster and Connacht. In the 20th century, Cooneys were largely found in counties Fermanagh, Tipperary, and Roscommon.

Today, the Cooney surname is common in Ireland and has spread to English-speaking countries such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, primarily due to Irish emigration. In some cases, the surname has been changed or Anglicized to Coonan, Conan, or even Connan. It may not be as prevalent as Murphy or O'Sullivan in Irish surnames, but it certainly has a firm place in the rich tapestry of Irish family names.

Variations of the surname Cooney

The surname Cooney is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O Cuana", meaning "descendant of Cuana".

Some common variants or spellings of Cooney include Coony, Coonie, Coney, Conny, and Coonan. A slightly more extended form of the surname is O'Cooney, a more direct translation of the original Gaelic.

There are also many similar or related surnames that share the same root, such as Quinney, Quinn, and Quane. These names are all derived from the Gaelic "Cuinn", similar to "Cuana".

In addition, there are also many surnames which are phonetically similar to Cooney, such as Coon, Conneen, and Cunneen.

Finally, it's important to note that due to the variety of dialects and accents in Ireland, as well as the evolution and Anglicisation of Irish names over centuries, there can be many variations and spellings of the same surname. Therefore, it's possible that there are many more variations of Cooney that are not listed here.

Famous people with the name Cooney

• Barbara Cooney: An American children's book author and illustrator who won two Caldecott Medals.
• Gary Cooney: An Irish politician who has been a Teachta Dála for the Limerick County constituency in the Dáil Éireann since 2020.
• Geraldine Laybourne: Known as Geraldine Bond Cooney before her marriage, she is an American entrepreneur who co-founded Oxygen Media and previously worked as a media executive at Nickelodeon.
• Gerry Cooney: A former professional boxer from the United States known for his powerful left hook and his two successful title shots in the heavyweight division.
• James Cooney: A professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox.
• Kevin Cooney: An American actor known for his roles in "Legally Blonde" and "Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury".
• John J. Cooney: An American judge who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
• Tim Cooney: A former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals.
• James Cooney: A professional Irish footballer who plays for the Galway United Football Club.

Other surnames

Coonen