Surname Denny - Meaning and Origin
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read moreDenny: What does the surname Denny mean?
The surname Denny is of Anglo-Saxon origin and originated from the personal name Dennis, which in turn is derived from the Greek name Dionysius, the god of wine and revelry in Greek mythology. It could also be locational, originating from towns named Denny in Stirlingshire, Scotland, and Cambridgeshire, England. When it's a locational surname, it means "woodland clearing," referring to an open area in a forest. Over time, it has been adapted into various forms including Denny, Denney, Dennie, and others. Early records of this surname date back to the 12th century in England. Notably, the Denny family held a family seat in Norfolk, England before the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Order DNA origin analysisDenny: Where does the name Denny come from?
The surname Denny is of Irish and English origin, tracing its roots back to the places named Denny in Stirlingshire and Douny in Somerset. In Gaelic, the name was originally spelled O Duibhne, and in Anglo-Saxon, it derived from the Old English word "Denu," meaning "valley." Later, Denny became prevalent among settlers in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada due to emigration. In modern times, the name is dispersed across several countries, but it is particularly common in the United States and England. Some notable individuals with the surname Denny include Sandy Denny, a British singer, and Reginald Denny, an English stage, film, and television actor.
Variations of the surname Denny
The surname Denny has a number of variants, spellings and related surnames. Originating from an English, Gaelic, and Irish background, this surname has different interpretations in different cultures. Common variants of the surname Denny include Denney, Dennie and Deny. Other spellings and variations include Denehy, Denehey, Denahy, Denihan, and Dennehy from Irish origin.
For English counterparts of the name, you might find Dennyson, Deneson, or Dennison. Dena, Deane, and Dean can also have the same roots in some cases, as they derive from similar georgraphic locations or personal names as Denny.
Denny is originally a locational surname derived from regions named Denny in Stirlingshire, United Kingdom, and Suffolk, England. Thus, families with long-time ties to these areas can also have variations in spelling of the name.
It's important to keep in mind that the spelling of surnames can often change over time and can be influenced by factors such as immigration, regional dialects, and illiteracy in past centuries. Therefore, many more variations of the surname Denny may exist.
Famous people with the name Denny
- Denis Denny: Canadian businessman and founder of Denny's Restaurants.
- Malinda Denny: American politician who served in the South Dakota House of Representatives.
- Charlie Denny: former Major League Baseball player who played shortstop and second base.
- Norman Denny: British actor, best known for the films 'Murder on the Orient Express' and 'The Riddle of the Sands'.
- Derrick Denny: former NFL fullback who played for the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.
- Alice Denny: British writer and historian who wrote the novels 'Lands End' and 'The White Road'.
- John Denny: former Major League Baseball pitcher who won the 1984 World Series MVP Award.
- Paul Denny: British businessman and joint-chairman of the Gingerbread consumer panel.
- Dan Denny: American professional bodybuilder who competed in the 2016 Mr. Olympia competition.
- Joe Denny: former NFL offensive lineman who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Diego Chargers.