Surname Deveney - Meaning and Origin
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Deveney: What does the surname Deveney mean?
The surname Deveney is an Irish or Scottish origin surname. It is derived from the Old Gaelic and Gaelic language ‘dubhéanaigh’, which can be translated to ‘descendant of Dubhán’. Dubhán was an old Gaelic nickname for a dark-haired person. Therefore, the name Deveney has a literal meaning 'dark-haired one'.
Throughout the generations, the Deveney surname has been used in many areas of life throughout Europe. It is a popular surname in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as in the United States.
Variants of the surname Deveney can be found in some countries. In Scotland, for example, the spelling is often Diveney; in France, it is Devaney; and in Ireland and Scotland, the spelling may also be recorded as Devany or Duvaney.
The prominent location of the Deveney name in Ireland throughout centuries suggests that the original ancestor, Dubhán, had a strong presence in the country. Today, many people with the Deveney surname are still living in Ireland, although the name is increasingly more popular in other countries such as Britain and the United States.
Overall, the name Deveney has an interesting history that reflects the immigration of its original ancestor to various countries throughout Europe and beyond. It is a strong and unique name that has been associated with an ancient and powerful nickname for hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisDeveney: Where does the name Deveney come from?
The surname Deveney is most common in Ireland, where records indicate it has been in use for hundreds of years. It can also be found in some parts of England, such as Lancashire. In recent years, the surname has spread to other countries as a result of immigration, and can now be found in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Ireland, the most prevalent concentration of Deveneys is in Ulster Province and especially Donegal County. The name Deveney is derived from the Gaelic O’Duibhnigh, meaning “descendant of Duibhnigh”. Early records in Ireland often used the spelling O’Daveny, with higher-educated families later embracing the more anglicised form of Deveney.
The Deveney name is also linked with the Church of Ireland, with a number of records and land grants dating back to the seventeenth century. In more recent times, some members of the Deveney family have gone on to become prominent actors, sportspeople, academics, politicians, and business people.
Today, it is possible to find members of the Deveney family in many countries around the world. Although the name may not be common in all locations, it is interesting to note that the name is still in use in the modern day.
Variations of the surname Deveney
The surname Deveney is an Anglicised version of the Irish surname Ó Duibhgena. This surname was found mainly in the Sligo and Galway regions of Ireland and is derived from the Irish words "duibh" meaning black and "gena" meaning chief or lord.
Variants and alternate spellings of the name include O’Devaney, O’Deeveney, Devaney, Devenny, Deeveney, Diveny, Diveney, Deevenny, Divaney, Diveney, Devonney, Divinny, O'Devaney, O’Doonney, O’Dolney, O’Dowdney, O’Dudeny, O’Dovenny, and O’Doveney.
The O’Devaney line of the Deveney surname is believed to have originally settled near the site of a church known as Kilnalaghen in the southeast of County Sligo, close to the town of Tobercurry. The descendants of this line of the family dispersed over the centuries, with many emigrating to North America and other countries. There the various Devaney spellings developed over time and today, Devaney is now the most commonly found form of the original surname.
Today, the Deveney surname is predominantly found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with smaller numbers in Canada, Australia, and other countries.
Famous people with the name Deveney
- John Deveney: a ten-time Emmy Award Winning writer who has worked on shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The CN Laughternoon and The Cosby Show.
- Josh Deveney: a professional soccer player who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL League One.
- Brandon Deveney: a Canadian actor known for his roles in the shows Heartland, Republic of Doyle, and On Strike for Christmas.
- Joe Deveney: a musician from New York City who plays in multiple bands and is the founding member of the experimental group Soggy earnings.
- d'Arcy Deveney: a Canadian politician and former Member of Provincial Parliament for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.
- Andrew Deveney: an Australian composer, orchestrator and producer who has worked on films like The Lego Batman Movie and Guardians of the Galaxy.
- Bo Deveney: a former radio personality on Seattle's KZOK-FM and the younger brother of legendary Seattle radio personality Bob Rivers.
- Chad Deveney: an American actor known for his roles in the horror films The Agonist and The Crew.
- Will Deveney: An American lawyer and former Assistant Attorney General in the State of Michigan.
- Tom Deveney: an American poet, musician and audio engineer.