Surname Digney - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Digney: What does the surname Digney mean?
The last name “Digney” is an Irish surname which originated from the Gaelic name “O Duigneidigh” meaning “descendant of Duigneidigh”. It is an anglicised version of the Irish surname “Ó Duibhneidigh”.
The meaning of the surname is associated with the meaning of “Duigneidigh” which is found in some ancient Irish texts and can be broken down into two parts. The first part being “Duibh” which means dark or black and the second part “neidigh” which means brave or courageous. The two combined, meaning brave and/or fearless of the dark, was probably given to someone in the family who stood up to a strong force, and from there it was passed down to other generations. This could have been why the Irish surname was given in the first place.
It's no wonder many Irish emigrated and spread the Digney name all over the world. Generations later, the meaning of this surname is still known, with a lot of the roots still forming part of the Irish culture and heritage. As it has been around for centuries, its meaning will surely stay with us for years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisDigney: Where does the name Digney come from?
The last name Digney is most commonly found in Ireland. It is believed to be derived from a Gaelic surname, O’Duinseadha, meaning "descendants of Duineach." The name is also associated with a branch of the McMahons, whose last chief was Domhnall O'Digney, who lived in the late 15th century.
Today, the surname Digney is still mostly concentrated in Ireland, with large populations found in Co. Kerry, Co. Cork, and all four of the Provinces. In Kerry, the surname is most prevalent in the Dingle peninsula, where the original O'Digneys held sway.
The name stretches beyond Irish roots as well, and can be found in many colonial records and immigration manifests from North America, England, Australia, and beyond. In the United States, families with the surname Digney mainly settled in New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Many Digneys now can be found throughout the world in every country and continent. Over time, the name has evolved and changed, giving new life to the ancient last name of O'Digneys.
Variations of the surname Digney
The surname Digney is one of the common Irish last names that originated in County Cork. It first emerged during the 12th century when it was used to describe local chieftains. The name is derived from the Old Irish “dignaid” meaning “Princely.” Over the centuries, the spelling of the last name has undergone a series of changes, some of which are now used commonly.
The most common variants of Digney include Digny, Digney, Digne, Diney, Deigny, Deigney, Dieney, Deney, Dinee, Denye and Dinney. A less frequent variant is Digna.
Alternative spellings of the Digney surname are Dignet, Dignett, Digneth, Dignit, Dignitt, Dignitth, Dignette and Dignete.
Similar surnames belonging to the same genealogical origin as Digney include Dignam, Dignan, Dignon, Dineen, Dingane, Dine, Dunnage, Dunan and Dunne.
In America, the Digney surname can also be adopted and altered when it is combined with other ethnicities, such as German, Italian, French or Jewish last names. These forms of the surname include Digney-Germani, Digney-Di Giovanni, Digney-Stelling and Digney-Kaufman.
Famous people with the name Digney
- Erin Digney: fashion designer best known for appearing on the reality show, Project Runway.
- Ken Digney: Trinity College Dublin lecturer and former professional rugby player.
- Grace Digney: co-founder of multimedia agency Atticus Digital, former Sportsnet and Shaw Sports anchor.
- Alanna Digney: a Paralympian and rower.
- Stephen Digney: former Irish media executive and production designer.
- Aidan Digney: Irish television and radio producer.
- Ray Digney: English former professional footballer.
- Mark Digney: president of the San Francisco Fire Department.
- Peter Digney: Irish American entrepreneur and founder of PR company, Executive Strategies.
- Danny Digney: award-winning music engineer and producer.