Surname Hennerty - Meaning and Origin
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Hennerty: What does the surname Hennerty mean?
The last name Hennerty comes from the Irish surname Mac Aonghusa, which is derived from the Gaelic words "aic" meaning "stone" and "eoghain" meaning "Owen". The family originated from a sept of the O’Neills who were based in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Hennertys are traditionally found in the counties of Cavan, Galway, Kerry and Roscommon.
Hennerty is an ancient and illustrious surname that has been in existence in Ireland for over 1000 years. Classified as an Irish clan, they descended from a branch of the O’Neills, which are one of the most distinguished and renowned ancient Irish families.
In Irish history, the Hennertys were strongly associated with the power of the O’Neills. As the leaders of the O’Neill territories, the Hennertys were feared and respected. Their influence was so great that when Northern Ireland was formed in 1921, it even incorporated several of the family’s titles in its constitution, breeding an even more deep and proud connection to the Hennertys and their illustrious heritage.
Today, it is believed that there are around 1000 Irish citizens with the Hennerty name. It is a rare and unique surname that is steeped in history and carries an inspirational legacy. Those who bear the last name Hennerty should be proud to be part of such a long and distinguished ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisHennerty: Where does the name Hennerty come from?
The last name Hennerty is most commonly associated with Ireland. It is believed that it originated there and spread throughout the island. Most of the Hennertys still living in Ireland are concentrated in the southern and eastern portions of the country, particularly in counties Cork and Galway.
The Hennerty name has also been carried to the United Kingdom by Irish immigrants. The prevalence of Hennertys in the UK is heavily concentrated in the major cities, particularly Liverpool, Glasgow, and London. A few Hennertys have also made their homes in North America, most prominently in parts of the United States, particularly Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York.
As a surname, Hennerty has a long and rich history in Ireland. Records of the name have been traced back hundreds of years, and the Hennertys can be found in some of the oldest histories of the country. The original spellings of the name may have changed over time, but the Hennertys have a deep and proud legacy that dates back many generations.
The current Hennertys continue to carry this legacy and proudly represent their Irish heritage. Today, the Hennerty name is a proud reminder of Irish ancestry and a link to a familial past. Because of its geographical origins and close connection to Irish identity, the last name Hennerty continues to be very common in Ireland, the UK, and in many other places around the world.
Variations of the surname Hennerty
The surname Hennerty (sometimes spelled Hennerty, Henrity, O'Henrity, O'Hennerty, Henertty) is of Irish origin and believed to have descended from O' hAithnihirtaigh or O' hAodhnaoiartach, which are variants of the Gaelic guiNamemeaning "descendent of Aithneheartach".
The surname can also be traced to another origin - the island of Islay in Scotland. Islay was first inhabited by Gaelic-speaking Norse settlers and was later populated by the Picts and Celts who brought their own surnames to the area, among which we find Hennerty.
Most variants of the surname are derived from the Gaelic Mac an Fhir Bheithe meaning "son of the man of the bright shield". The use of Mac (meaning "son") was later substituted by Ó ("grandson").
Variants of the surname Hennerty now widely in use include Henrity, O’Henrity, O’Hennerty and Henertty. While the original spelling of the surname has changed over the years, several of its variants are still visible in counties Roscommon, Galway and Sligo in Ireland and in Argyll in Scotland.
Some of the famous bearers of the name include the Irish Gaelic footballer Patrick Hennerty, the journalist T.J. Hennerty and the poet Mary Adelaide Hennerty.
In Ireland and Scotland, Hennerty remains a well-used and popular surname.
Famous people with the name Hennerty
- Maureen Hennerty: Maureen Hennerty is an American actress, best known for her roles in the films Family Business and My Giant, as well as some episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
- Colm Hennerty: Colm Hennerty is an Irish former professional footballer who played for Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Oxford United.
- Thomas Hennerty: Thomas Hennerty was an Irish singer, songwriter and guitarist from County Mayo, best known for folk songs like “Saoirse” and “Saddle the Pony.”
- Bill Hennerty: Bill Hennerty is an American politician who served as the Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Commerce.
- Sara Hennerty: Sara Hennerty is an American businesswoman and former Miss USA. She served as the Director of Business Development at Salesforce.
- Pat Hennerty: Pat Hennerty is a former American basketball player, best known for her record-breaking season at the University of Texas and for winning the NCAA Women’s Division I National Player of the Year Award in 1982.
- Steve Hennerty: Steve Hennerty is an American former football player and coach, who served as the head coach at Chico State University from 1983-1985.
- Mary Hennerty: Mary Hennerty is a British-Irish television and movie actress, best known for her appearances in the UK television series Fair City and the Irish film The Secret Scripture.
- Maryanne Hennerty: Maryanne Hennerty is an Irish artist and printmaker, mostly known for her landscape and seascape prints.
- Eleanor Hennerty: Eleanor Hennerty is an American author, best known for her bestselling novel Irish Twins, which was made into a movie in 2012.