Surname Guiness - Meaning and Origin

Guiness: What does the surname Guiness mean?

The Irish surname Guiness is derived from the Gaelic phrase mag Fhinn meaning "son of Fionn" where Fionn is an Irish name given to those of fair-haired or ruddy complexioned people. Historically, the name originates from the Leinster and Connamara regions of Ireland. It is part of the vast collection of Irish surnames that hail back thousands of years ago to the Celts.

The meaning of the name is often thought to signify 'Noble', as is traditional with many Irish family names, the Gaelic 'O' meaning 'Grandson' or 'Descendant' often precedes it.

Although the Guinness family is primarily associated with Ireland, the surname is found throughout the world, and the name has been adopted as the surname of many famous people such as the British entrepreneur Sir Arthur Edward Guinness who established the Guinness Brewery in 1859.

The Guinness family has had a profound influence on Ireland over the centuries and the Guinness legend has lived on for generations. Not only is it one of Ireland’s most recognizable and highly acclaimed brands, it is also a reminder of the nation’s rich cultural history.

The Guinness name is one that will likely continue to carry with it a strong sense of pride and heritage wherever it is found and will remain inextricably linked to one of the world’s oldest and best loved beers.

Guiness: Where does the name Guiness come from?

The Guinness family name originates from County Kilkenny in Ireland, and has a long history dating back to the 15th century. It is mainly found in both Ireland and the United Kingdom, although the name is also found in other countries with Irish ancestry. In the United Kingdom, the highest concentrations of the name can be found in the London and Reading areas. The surname is also often found in Scotland and more sparsely throughout Britain as a whole. In Ireland, the highest concentrations of the name can be found in Dublin and surrounding areas, as well as counties Cork and Wexford.

The surname Guinness can also be found in other parts of the world, primarily in countries with Irish emigration. The United States, Canada, and Australia are the main destinations of the Guinness family over the past two hundred years, however, it is also found in countries such as South Africa, India, and New Zealand, among others.

In contemporary times, the Guinness family is most widely associated with the Guinness Brewery. Founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness in Dublin, the Guinness brewery is now famous worldwide for its iconic dark beer. Despite its Irish-origins, the beer is now popular in many places such as the US, China, and Singapore, among many other countries.

Variations of the surname Guiness

The surname Guiness is of Irish and English origin and is an Anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic name Mac Aonghusa, which means ‘son of Angus’. It is also found as Ginnis, Gennes, Guinea, Guinen, Gynn, Gynns, Guynes and Gunn.

In Ireland, the name is often found as MacGennis and MacGinnis, while in Scotland the name appears as Gunes. The variants of MacGennys and MacGinnys are found in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In the United States, the surname Guiness has also been Anglicised and is often found as Guinness, Gains, Goldberg, Geijns, Goodfellow, Gowins, Gwynn, Gwin, Gwinne and Gwinett.

In England and Wales, the name has also been found as Gennes, Genness, Gunnis and Gunniske. Guaniss is a variant of the name in England.

Genealogists researching the surname Guiness should also consider variants such as Gwin and Gowins. In Scotland, variants of the name include Gunes, MacGinnys and MacGennys. In the United States, where the surname has been heavily Anglicised, variants of the name include Goldberg, Geijns, Gowins and Goodfellow.

Famous people with the name Guiness

• Stephen Dahmer Guiness: former lecturer at the California Institute of Technology and current president of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• Arthur Francis Guiness: son of British Prime Minister Arthur Francis Guinness, 1st Baron Guinness of Moyne.
• Ruairi Guiness: British entrepreneur and venture capitalist.
• Kes Guiness: British author and theologian associated with the Charismatic Movement.
• Paul Anthony Guiness: Irish philanthropist.
• Mark Guiness: Irish businessman and philanthropist, son of Anthony Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh.
• Walter Guiness: British army officer and politician.
• Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh: British financier, businessman, and member of the House of Lords.
• Benjamin Lee Guiness: Irish brewer and philanthropist.
• Evan Edward Guiness: Irish merchant, investor, and philanthropist, son of Edward Cecil Guiness, 1st Earl of Iveagh.
• William Lee Guiness: Irish banker and politician.
• Arthur Onslow Lee Guiness: Irish politician and banker, brother of William and Evan Guiness.
• Norah Guiness: British photographer, filmmaker, and model.
• Ernie Guiness: Irish Unionist politician and soldier.
• Peter Edward Guiness: British barrister and High Court judge.
• Dame Joan Henrietta Guiness: British philanthropist and former fashion editor.
• Kevin Guiness: Australian author and biologist.
• Frances Mary Guiness: British businesswoman and former chairman of the Guinness Brewery.
• Hugo Guiness: British painter and comedic actor.
• Mervyn Edward Guiness: British army officer.

Other surnames

GuineGuineaGuineeGuineerGuinegawGuinenGuinerGuinereGuinesGuinesseyGuinetGuinettGuinetteGuinevanGuiney