Surname Feeheny - Meaning and Origin

Feeheny: What does the surname Feeheny mean?

The last name Feeheny is an Irish surname originating from the Gaelic pigin Mac an Fhidhne, meaning son of an aidan. The aidan in question was most likely the earlier Gaelic word for a follower or help. This surname can be traced back to County Donegal, indicating an origins in the 11th century.

The ancient Irish families of the Feehenys were a sept, an independent people of Gaelic culture, in the historic province of Ulster, located in the north of the island. They were mainly farmers or pastoralists, living on small farms and ranching in the countryside.

The Feehenys were a very important part of the ancient Clann Clann Phaidin, an ancestor family and an element of the great Irish nation. They were fiercely independent and defended their home against invaders, interlopers and would-be conquerors. Their spirit was seen in many battles over the centuries, and for the last name Feeheny this is a sense of pride and honor.

The name Feeheny is symbolic of the strength of a people that has remained resilient throughout its history, and it is the continued commitment of the present generations to the values of their ancestor that will ensure its legacy is upheld and never forgotten.

Feeheny: Where does the name Feeheny come from?

The last name Feeheny originated in Ireland and is most common in areas of Ireland and the United Kingdom today. It is found in all corners of Ireland, particularly in the counties of Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, and Galway, but has spread to England, Scotland, Wales, and beyond. Feeheny was one of the more popular surnames in the 19th century, but its use has declined since that time. According to the Central Statistics Office in Ireland, the last name Feeheny was found in 657 households in 2016, making it the 5,025th most popular surname in the country. Additionally, the last name Feeheny can be found in records from the 19th and early 20th century immigrant populations from Ireland in North America and Australia, so it is likely to still exist in those countries.

In general, Feehenys tend to be found in areas that saw substantial immigration from Ireland throughout history. Wherever there is a large Irish diaspora, Feeheny is likely to be found. The name has never become extremely widespread and may still be classified as quite rare. Therefore, those who bear this unusual last name should consider themselves lucky. Whether you’re researching your ancestral heritage or just curious, Feeheny is a unique surname that still has a presence in the world today.

Variations of the surname Feeheny

The Feeheny surname has a number of variants, surnames and spellings that are of the same origin. These include Feeaney, Feehan, Fegen, Fegin, Fiehan, Fieheny, Fiehny, Fihinane, Fihinen and Fichiney.

Feeheny is derived from the Irish Gaelic name O' Fiachain, which is an old Irish clan name. It is suggested that the surname is in fact derived from a listener of the name Fiachna, which is an ancient Gaelic-Irish personal name. The name comes from a combination of two ancient Gaelic words, 'fiacho' meaning 'raven' and 'dubh' or 'dark'.

The Feeheny surname is commonly found in Ireland, particularly in the Counties of Cork, Limerick, Clare and Tipperary and is still occasionally used in the Northern areas of Connacht near the west coast today.

The related spellings of Feeheny are often origins of the surname Feeheny, and each variation of the name has a different pronounciation or history. The Fihinane spelling of Feeheny is derived from Ua Fidhne, which reveals a less explained history of this surname. The Fiehny spelling of Feeeny is most likely a version of the Fihinane spelling, while Feeaney is also a version of the O' Fiachain Irish surname.

In conclusion, the surname Feeheny holds a descent from the old Irish clan name 'O' Fiachain' and has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, such as Feeaney, Fegen, Fegin, Fiehan, Fieheny, Fiehny, Fihinane, Fihinen and Fichiney.

Famous people with the name Feeheny

• Martin Feehily: Irish musician
• Mrs Feehily: Welsh poet
• Michael Feehily: Australian music producer
• Patrick Feehily: Irish artist
• Thomas Feehily: Irish military surgeon
• Jennifer Feehily: English actress
• Edward Feehily: Irish barrister
• Sarah Feehily: Irish actress
• Sam Feehily: Irish actor
• Hannan Feehily: Irish Olympian
• Ryan Feehily: Irish rugby union player
• Maeve Feehily: Irish writer
• John Feehily: Irish actor and presenter
• John Joe Feehily: Irish footballer
• Mark Feehily: Irish singer-songwriter, part of the boy band Westlife
• John Feehily: Irish politician
• Michael Feehily: Irish former CEO of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation
• Jack Feehily: Irish professor, medical doctor, and researcher
• Feargal Feehily: Irish musician
• Kathleen Feehily: Irish author and journalist

Other surnames

Feehery