Surname Curneen - Meaning and Origin
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Curneen: What does the surname Curneen mean?
The last name Curneen is an Irish surname originating from the Gaelic Mac Fheorais which is derived from the Irish word for ‘lord’. The Mac Fheorais sept was a branch of the powerful O'Neill dynasty, which controlled much of Ireland in the Middle Ages.
The Curneen surname is mainly found in the counties of Tyrone and Donegal in Northern Ireland. It is also common in the United States, where many immigrants of Irish descent adopted it upon their arrival. In total, Curneen is not a particularly common surname; the most recent United States census estimated that there were only around 2,000 people bearing the name in the entire country.
The name is a relatively modern one, as it appears only recently in records of medieval Ireland. Despite this, it has likely been in use since the early medieval era, when many families in the region adopted last names to distinguish them from others in their area. Curneen is likely a derivative of Mac Fheorais, which, combined with its distribution around Ireland, suggests that the name is quite ancient and may have been in use since the 9th or 10th centuries.
Overall, Curneen is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Mac Fheorais. The name has been in use since the early medieval period, and is associated with the powerful O'Neill dynasty. Today, it is mainly found in Northern Ireland and the United States, but is not particularly common on a global scale.
Order DNA origin analysisCurneen: Where does the name Curneen come from?
The last name Curneen is a rare surname that is not found in many countries today. It is most commonly found in Ireland, specifically in the Connacht region. The surname is derived from the last name Mac an tSaoir, which was in the Irish toponym of Curneen, suggesting that the surname originated in the early part of the 19th century. A few prominent bearers of the name include Brian Curneen, an Irish Gaelic footballer, and Noreen Curneen, a Donegal Gaelic footballer. It is also found sporadically in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, where it often indicates recent Irish ancestry.
In recent years, the surname Curneen has become increasingly represented in social media and genealogical records. It is most commonly found associated with small numbers of families in select areas of Ireland, and is likely to remain a relatively rare name in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Curneen
The surname Curneen has its origin in the Irish name Ó Corrín, which is derived from the Gaelic word “corran”, meaning “curved”. This surname was first found in County Cork, Ireland, and in the mid-17th century, the family had spread to other regions of Ireland.
This surname has many variants and spellings. Some of the commonly seen alternates include Carnane, Curnan, Curnane, Currane, and Curning, all of which are pronounced roughly the same. Additionally, some other variants which feature the prefix “O’”, such as O’Curnin, O’Curneen, and O’Currane, can be found.
The surname Curneen has several similar sounding variants, including Curran, Currell, Curren, Currens, Curranay, and Currin. Additionally, the name Kernan, which means “progeny of the little champion”, is often affiliated with the name Curneen, as it is also derived from the Irish roots of the same name.
The most common alternative spellings of the surname Curneen are Curnan, Curnane, Carnane, Currane, and Currin. There are countless other variants of the name though, so be sure to consult a genealogist or specialist when researching the spellings and variants of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Curneen
- Kristina Curneen: Australian soccer player
- John Curneen: Irish actor and comedian
- Laura Curneen: British humanitarian aid worker
- Daniel Curneen: British photojournalist
- Robert Curneen: Australian industrialist and entrepreneur
- Ed Curneen: American cartoonist
- William Curneen: American artist
- Liam Curneen: Irish footballer
- Seán Curneen: Irish Gaelic football player
- James Curneen: British sculptor
- Abigail Curneen: British fashion designer
- Charlotte Curneen: British Olympic Silver medallist in BMX racing
- Bob Curneen: British musician
- Thomas Edward Curneen: American photographer, photojournalist, and fashion photographer
- Kelly Curneen: American sportscaster and television commentator
- Michael Curneen: Irish writer and poet
- Matthew Curneen: English rock musician