Surname Cunniff - Meaning and Origin

Cunniff: What does the surname Cunniff mean?

The surname Cunniff is an Irish surname of Norman origin that is derived from two different Gaelic surname lines. It is a variant of O'Cuinneagáin, an Irish surname from the county Sligo which descends from the Old Norse personal name Gunni. It is also a variant of Ó Coinnigh (also Ó Coinni or Mac Coinnigh), which is an Irish surname found in the counties of Mayo and Galway.

The surname Cunniff could, when anglicized, be found in a variety of spellings, including Conniff, Connif, Cunniffe, Conniffe, MacCunniff, Cunneff, and Cuniffe.

The origin of Cunniff is associated with a proud and industrious people who, over the centuries, have spread across the world. Today, the surname can be found in many countries, including the United States, Ireland, England, Canada, and Australia.

In Ireland, the Cunniff surname was mainly found in the counties of Galway and Mayo, where many still exist. The Cunniff family was part of the ancient Gaelic clan system in Old Ireland, and it most likely had a Clan Chief in the past.

The meaning of Cunniff is probably derived from an Old Norse personal name and could be translated as “cousin” or “friend of the wolf.” As with many Irish surnames, the meaning of Cunniff has likely changed over the centuries as the name was passed down through families.

Cunniff: Where does the name Cunniff come from?

The last name Cunniff is most commonly found in countries with a historical connection to Ireland. In Europe, it is found most frequently in Ireland, followed closely by England, Scotland, and Wales. In the US, the name is most concentrated in California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. It is also found in Nevada, Arizona, and Illinois. According to the US Census Bureau, the Cunniff surname is the 4,743rd most common family name in the US, and the 912th most common in England and Wales.

In Ireland, the Cunniff surname has been in existence since the tenth century. It is believed to have originated in the province of Munster, where the Cunniffs were a powerful and influential sept, or clan. In the sixteenth century, the Cunniffs migrated to other parts of Ireland. Many emigrated to America, eventually settling in the northeastern states. Other prominent Cunniffs moved to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In modern times, the Cunniff family in Europe is primarily concentrated in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. In the US, the Cunniff name is highly concentrated in the northeastern states, and can still be found in smaller numbers across the rest of the country.

Cunniffs continue to be well-known for their efforts in numerous endeavors, particularly in the areas of scholarship, public service, business, sports, and the arts.

Variations of the surname Cunniff

The surname Cunniff is a spelling and surname variant of the name Cunniffe. It is primarily a variant of the Irish surname Ó Coinnfhaola, Anglicized as Kinneff/Kineff/Kinniff. This name is derived from the Gaelic personal name Conall or Conghal, meaning strong in battle or brave in conflict. Other spelling variants of this surname include: Kineff, Cuniff, Conniff, Coniffe, Conneff, Couniffe, Counihane, Cuniffe, Kiniff, and Kuninff.

The name is also thought to have been used as an anglicisation of the ancient Irish name O'Cuanfhola, which is derived from the Irish word "Cuanfhola" meaning a hound or wolf leader. The sept of O'Cuanfhola were chiefs of Moylurg, and were located in what is now King's County, Leitrim and Roscommon in the ancient province of Connacht, Ireland.

An alternative origin of the Cunniff surname is from the Gaelic Creanach, derived from the Old Irish word "crenach" meaning a fox or sneaky person. This variant is primarily found in Co. Limerick, and the majority of those bearing this surname in this area are descended from the Creanach family of County Limerick.

Other variants of this surname include Coneff, Coneffe, Coniff, Coniffe, Connife, Conniff, Conniffe, Counihan, and Counihane. Common nicknames for people with this surname include Cunn, Cunniffy, and Conny.

Famous people with the name Cunniff

• Lindsey Cunniff: Lindsey is an American soccer defender who plays for Sky Blue FC in the National Women's Soccer League.
• Daniel P. Cunniff: Daniel is a former professional baseball player who spent twelve seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Detroit Tigers.
• Peter Cunniff: Peter is a former American professional soccer player who spent five years in the American Soccer League and the Major Soccer League.
• Brian Cunniff: Brian is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League, and the American Professional Soccer League.
• Billy Cunniff: One of the members of an Irish-American folk-rock band 'The Cunniffs', Billy is a singer, songwriter, and a multi-instrumentalist.
• Paul Cunniff: Paul is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks.
• Kelly Cunniff: Kelly is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the Adirondack Thunder in the ECHL.
• Mary Cunniff: Mary is a former American athlete who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the 800m event.
• Thomas Cunniff: Thomas is an American former Major League Baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1972-1974.
• Tim Cunniff: Tim is an American professional soccer player who currently plays for the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the United Soccer League.

Other surnames

CunniffeCunninghamCunnison