Surname Roney - Meaning and Origin
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Surprising Discoveries & Unforeseen Turns With My DNA Test: The Roney Ancestry Unearthed
I recently took an iGENEA DNA test, a journey towards unraveling my family origins and understanding my ancestry. My surname, Roney, held mysteries and ancestral stories I was eager to unfold. But as it turned out, the DNA test took an unexpected turn leading to fascinating revelations, most of which were surprises.
S. Roney
read moreRoney: What does the surname Roney mean?
Roney is a surname with origins in Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Muireadhach" which means 'Mariner' or 'Sea Farer'. This name was then anglicized to "Muiris", and further modified to various forms including Roney. The surname was largely concentrated in the regions of Leinster and Ulster in Ireland. Over time, due to emigration and diaspora, descendants with the Roney surname can now be found around the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Like many surnames, Roney can also be found as a first name, although it is less common. Variation in the spelling of surnames is quite common, as a result, Roney can also be found spelled as Rooney or Rony.
Order DNA origin analysisRoney: Where does the name Roney come from?
Today, the last name Roney is most commonly associated with the United States and Canada, though it likely originated in the United Kingdom. The original spelling of the name was "Runy", suggesting it was of French origin. After the Norman Conquest of Britain, a number of French families settled in Scotland, with some eventually moving to North America in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The earliest recorded references of the last name Roney in North America can be traced back to the state of Maryland in the late 1600s. Records suggest that the family then spread further, and by the mid-1800s the surname was established in various parts of the United States. In the 1880 census, the name Roney (or variations such as Runie, Runye, Runyen and Runyan) was recorded in 11 states.
Today, the last name Roney is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the midwest and eastern seaboard states such as North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. In Canada, the surname is strongly represented in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. The last name is also somewhat common in the UK, particularly in Scotland.
Variations of the surname Roney
The surname Roney is derived from the Irish surname O'Ronagh/O'Ronnaugh. It is thought to have been derived from either the Gaelic words: "Ro" and "Aon" which means "chieftain" or the Irish phrase "Ruanaidh meaning "descendant of Ruadh".
Variants of Roney include Roony, Rony, Ronney, O'Roney, and they are all pronounced the same. The four spellings of this surname are Roney, Ronney, Rony, and Roony. Its anglicized form is O'Roney derived from the original Irish form O'Ronagh or O'Ronnaugh.
The surname O'Ronagh/O'Ronnagh which is the root and original origin of the surname Roney has several variants. A few variants of this surname are O'Ronaye, O'Ronsay, O'Rowney, Ronagin, Rowen and Rone. Other surnames that can be linked to the root of Roney include Roon, Rowney, Rowney, O'Rowayne, Ronassium, and Rhone.
Roney is a widespread surname, most commonly found among families of Irish origin, especially in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Kerry. It is also found in Northern Ireland, especially in counties Derry, Tyrone, Down and Antrim. The surname may also be found in smaller numbers in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Roney
- Warren Roney: Warren is a saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He is best known as a member of the Benny Goodman Orchestra from 1975–1978. He has performed with a range of jazz and pop superstars, including Benny Carter, George Benson, and Bobby Caldwell.
- Kristin Roney: Kristin is an American documentary filmmaker. She directed and produced the award-winning documentary Satsuma DOC about the people of Satsuma, Alabama. The documentary has won several awards and has been shown at theaters, universities, and film festivals around the world.
- Edward T. Roney: Edward T. Roney is a former American football player who played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1955-1958. He was an offensive lineman and a member of the Eagles' 1956 championship team.
- Andrew Roney: Andrew is an Irish-born writer and actor. He has written for television shows such as Between the Bridges, Ugly House to Lovely House, and School Rumble. Roney has also acted in films such as The Next Three Days, Candidate Number Two, and the House of Special Purpose.
- Adam Roney: Adam Roney is an American game designer and programmer. He is best known for his work on the video game Age of Empires III and other titles like StreetFight. He has won two Independent Games Festival awards for his work on Age of Empires III.
- Carol Roney: Carol is a Canadian artist, best known for her paintings of people and animals. She has had her work exhibited in galleries and museums across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Her work has been published in books and magazines, and she has also had her work featured in Canadian newspapers and magazines.
- Jason Roney: Jason is an English musician and composer who has released two solo albums to date. He has had his compositions featured in films and television and has also released several EPs. He is known for his eclectic sound, combining elements of jazz, funk, and electronic music.