Surname Harnedy - Meaning and Origin
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Harnedy: What does the surname Harnedy mean?
The surname Harnedy is an Irish Gaelic surname derived from the old Irish name Ó hAirmide, which was borne by a number of prominent families inhabiting the province of Munster. The literal meaning of the surname is “descendant of Airmide”. Airmide was an ancient Celtic pagan deity who was associated with the healing and protection of livestock, and the name is believed to reflect veneration of this god.
Over the centuries, the Gaelic version of Ó hAirmide has evolved into O Harnedy, Harnetty, Harnedy, Harnette, Heroneney, Heronedy, Hession and Arnedy depending on dialects of English spoken in different areas of Ireland. These variations may have been the result of a language barrier, or may simply have been caused by the way the surname was written and pronounced.
The family name is most commonly associated with the province of Munster, where a branch of the O’Harnedys settled following the 16th century Plantation of Ulster. The family was established by Donal, the eldest son of Donal Caomhaich O’Harnedy, and from then on the name spread throughout Ireland.
Today, the surname Harnedy can found all over the world, with both Anglicized and Gaelic variants. Those bearing the name typically have proud Celtic roots and honor the ancient pagan god Airmide, while cherishing the bonds between families and and their Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisHarnedy: Where does the name Harnedy come from?
The last name Harnedy is most commonly found in Ireland. It can also be found in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
According to records, it originated in County Cork, Ireland in the 18th century. It is derived from the Irish surname O'hArnaithe, which was an old Gaelic name meaning “grandson of the little champion”.
Today, the name Harnedy is very common throughout Ireland, particularly in the following counties: Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
In the UK, the name is found mainly in the counties of Somerset, Wiltshire and Devon. In Canada, the name is more commonly found in the province of Nova Scotia.
In the United States, the name Harnedy is found in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and California. A quick search on the US Social Security Administration (SSDI) database reveals that there are over 120 individuals with the surname Harnedy living in the United States.
The name Harnedy is certainly not as common as some other surnames, but it is still widely found in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Harnedy
The surname Harnedy is a derived from the Irish Ó hAirtnéide, meaning “descendant of Airtnéidigh”. This surname is found primarily in Munster, primarily in counties Cork, Limerick, and Kerry.
Variants of the Harnedy surname include Harnitt, Harnit, Harnette, Harnitte, Harnettey, Harnitey, Harnedy, and Harnidie.
Common spellings of Harnedy are: Harnedy, Harnitte, Harnette, and Harnet.
Other surnames which have the same origin as Harnedy, through a patronymic relationship, are Airnteidigh, Ahernedy, Ahernetty, and Ahernatty.
Harnedy is also a common variation of the surname Harnedy-Hickey, which is derived from the Irish surname Ó hIcidigh meaning “descendant of Icideach”, which was also found in Munster. Variants of the Harnedy-Hickey surname include Hickey, Hickie, and Hick.
Surnames with similar spellings to Harnedy, though without the same origin, are Arndt, Erndt, Arnett, and Arnet.
Famous people with the name Harnedy
- Paudie Harnedy: Gaelic Football player from Cork, Ireland.
- Sonny Harnedy: Irish singer-songwriter and record producer.
- Pieta Harnedy: Irish singer and musician best known for her work with Irish folk group The Corrs.
- Michael Harnedy: Former professional American football player who played for the New England Patriots.
- Nora Harnedy: Irish actress best known for her roles in the films The Magdalene Sisters (2002) and Honeymooners (2005).
- Robert Harnedy: British cinematographer who worked on several films including Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001).
- Dave Harnedy: Professional baseball player from the United States who played for several teams including the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.
- Georgia Harnedy: Choreographer and dancer who was part of the Flyaway Productions dance company.
- Sean Harnedy: Irish professional footballer who played for Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers.
- Rolfe Harnedy: Australian rules footballer who represented Geelong Football Club in the Victorian Football League.