Surname MacWeeney - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacWeeney: What does the surname MacWeeney mean?
The last name MacWeeney is an Irish last name originating in County Mayo, Ireland. Its Gaelic spelling is "Mac Aodh-Eoghain," meaning "son of Aodh-Eoghain," with "Aodh-Eoghain" being a personal name derived from the first name Aodh, which means "fire." In the 13th century, The MacWeeney Clan were found in the Province of Connacht in County Mayo, where they had a great influence and standing in the area. They were a Sept, or division, of the Uí Máine, the ruling dynasty of Connacht.
The MacWeeney clan were renowned for their adherence to old Gaelic customs, which eventually made them a point of contention for the ruling English. Some of the traditional customs that the MacWeeneys held near and dear were: their right to elect a Chieftain and the control they had over their own land, as well as their resistance to outside taxation imposed on them by the English.
The MacWeeney name is now spread throughout the world, as descendants of the MacWeeneys have migrated to other countries. People with the last name MacWeeney proudly keep alive their ancestral roots and still celebrate their Gaelic culture with events and festivals throughout the year.
Order DNA origin analysisMacWeeney: Where does the name MacWeeney come from?
The last name MacWeeney is commonly found in Ireland, especially in the County Mayo region. It is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Aodháin meaning "son of Aodhán", which is a diminutive form of the name Aodh meaning "fire".
Since the 1800s, many people with the last name MacWeeney have emigrated to other countries, primarily the United States and Canada, though it is still most commonly found in Ireland. According to the 2020 survey, the MacWeeney surname is shared by 361 people in Ireland, 43 in the U.S., and 18 in Canada.
In the U.S., MacWeeney is found mostly in states along the eastern coast, such as New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. It is also particularly common in Illinois and Texas. In Canada, it is most common in Ontario, followed by British Columbia.
While the surname still exists in other countries, it is most commonly associated with Ireland due to its origin. The number of people bearing the last name MacWeeney has definitely declined over time, with an estimated total of over 500 people worldwide.
Variations of the surname MacWeeney
The surname MacWeeney is derived from the Irish surname Mac Uidhinn. It belongs to the set of Irish surnames known as 'Mac' surnames, which are patronymic in origin meaning they derive from the father's name. Variations of the MacWeeney surname include MacWeeney, Mac Uidhinn, McWeeny and MacVinny.
Variations of MacWeeney are generally divided into two main categories, those with the prefix 'Mac' and those without, however many spellings have been used over time and can vary depending on the individual or region.
Variations of MacWeeney with the prefix 'Mac' include MacWeeney, Mac Uidhinn, MacVinny and Mac Quinny. Variations without the prefix include Weeney, McWeeny and McVinny.
Surnames of the same origin as MacWeeney are MacGuinness, MacQuillan, MacQuillen, MacKenna and MacCunn. These names are historically related to other Irish surnames that have since died out such as Mac Aonghusa, Mac Giolla Chuimin and Mac Cárthaigh.
Many of the variants of MacWeeney have evolved over time to adopt other spellings, for example MacWeeney is sometimes renamed to Mcweeney. In Scotland McWeeny is also commonly used at times. Additionally, MacUidhinn has also been anglicized to MacWinny and MacVinny.
It is important to note that all variants of MacWeeney are derived from the same source and so all surnames are related in some way. Despite their subtle differences, all variants of MacWeeney are linked by a shared history.
Famous people with the name MacWeeney
- T.J. MacWeeney Jr., Major League Baseball pitcher
- Lance MacWeeney, actor, director, playwright, and producer
- Hanleigh MacWeeney, journalist
- Bobby MacWeeney, vocalist and guitarist
- Jennie MacWeeney, Irish singer
- Dannielle MacWeeney, former Irish Labour Party politician
- Trish MacWeeney, singer, and double bassist
- Joe MacWeeney, former Major League Baseball player
- Jack MacWeeney, former Major League Baseball pitcher 10.Meaghan MacWeeney, voice actress and producer