Surname Henney - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Henney: What does the surname Henney mean?
The surname Henney is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O hEighnigh." The exact meaning of this Gaelic name is a matter of some debate, as some sources suggest it means "fierce," while others propose "ivy." It is likely that it embodies elements of both characteristics, representing a person possessing the assertiveness and tenacity represented by the meaning ‘fierce', combined with the resiliency and vitality signified by 'ivy.' The Henney family would have been part of an ancient Irish clan system and the name through generations may have transformed throughout Irish history. As with many surnames, its origins have multiple interpretations, and the true meaning of Henney could be a combination of the interpretations, reflecting the attributes and characteristics of the original bearers of the name in these ancient times.
Order DNA origin analysisHenney: Where does the name Henney come from?
The surname Henney is of Irish origin and can be traced back to the Gaelic form "O hEighnigh." The name is derived from "eighneach" meaning "ruler" or "fearless." The 'O' prefix indicates "grandson of" or "descendant of" the original bearer. In ancient times, the O Henney family held a family seat in County Clare, so the name is most commonly associated with this part of Ireland.
With the waves of Irish emigration during the 17th and 18th centuries, the name spread to other parts of the world. Today, the surname Henney can be found in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, though it remains most common in Ireland.
Due to subtle changes in the phonetic spelling of Irish surnames over centuries, Henney also has many variants such as Hennig, Henegan, Henaghan, and Henehan. Despite these variations, all these surnames carry the same Gaelic lineage and heritage.
Variations of the surname Henney
The surname Henney is of Irish and English origin and has many variants and spelling alterations. Variations of this name can appear quite different but share the same root. This is often due to linguistic adaptations between countries, dialects, and time periods.
Commonly seen variants include Henney, Henny, Hennie, and Heney. The name can also be found spelled as Hene, Henea, Henne, Heney, Heneigh, and Hany. Further, because it is sometimes of Irish origin, it can also be connected to the surnames O'Henehan, O'Henehay, Henihan, and Henegan.
It's also important to note that different variations and spellings might point to different geographic origins or branches of a family. Not every person with a variant of the Henney surname will be immediately related, as names can change or become anglicized over time. Thus, while these names all share a connection to the Henney surname, their exact relationship can be complex due to the natural evolution and change of surnames over centuries.
Famous people with the name Henney
- Daniel Henney: An American actor and model known for his roles in films and TV series such as "My Lovely Sam Soon," "Criminal Minds," and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."
- Alex Henney: A British energy economist who published many works on the deregulation of electrical utilities.
- Nicky Henney: An American actress who starred in popular TV shows like "The West Wing," and "Six Feet Under."
- Christopher Henney: An American businessman and bio-entrepreneur, known for co-founding multiple biotechnology companies.
- Rob Henney: An English professional footballer who played as a midfielder for several clubs in the English Football League.
- Mathilde Henney: A French tennis player who competed in the early 20th century.
- Leonard W. Henney: A professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology who has made significant contributions to our understanding of the structure and function of antibodies.
- Mike Henney: A noted cider producer in the UK who owns and operates Henney's Cider Company.
- Mavis Henney: A Canadian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.