Surname Keaney - Meaning and Origin

Keaney: What does the surname Keaney mean?

The last name Keaney is an anglicised form of the Irish surname Mac Anfhinn, derived from the old Irish term "anfhinn", meaning "valiant". This suggests that the ancestors of those who carry this name were likely seen as brave and courageous.

The Keaney family may have originally come from the kingly Uí Maine sept of Connacht, a province in the Western part of Ireland. It is also possible that the family the name derives from the Irish tribe of Dal gCais, from the province of Munster.

Keaney is a relatively common surname in Ireland, usually found in the areas of Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny and Limerick. It is also found throughout the Irish diaspora in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

The current meaning of the name Keaney is not known for certain, but is likely still associated with bravery and courage. Those who carry the Keaney name often have an affinity for their heritage and pride themselves on their bravery and fortitude in the face of adversity. This meaning has been passed down from generation to generation, carried with each bearer of the Keaney name.

Keaney: Where does the name Keaney come from?

The surname Keaney is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in the province of Leinster. It is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ó Cathain, which originated in County Meath and is derived from the words cath, meaning “battle” and fonn, meaning “tribe”. This makes sense when considering that the surname is often borne by descendants of the chief of the Cenel Moain, a branch of the Ui Fiachrach dynasty.

Though still abundant in Ireland, particularly the Leinster province, the surname Keaney is now found all over the world. It is common in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. It is also found in countries such as Germany, France, Norway, and even South Africa.

The name Keaney can be easily traced back to the 19th century in the United States, particularly with the arrival of the Irish to escape the potato famine. Since then, the Keaney surname has become increasingly common around the world. Today, the name is a truly global phenomenon, with various branches of the family now scattered all over the world.

Variations of the surname Keaney

The variants, spellings, and surnames of Keaney include Canny, Keanney, Keenan, Keen, Keane, Kene, Kenney, Keney, O'Kane, O'Keane and Ó Catháin (‘ú’ cah-hahne).

Keaney is an Anglicised form of the ancient Irish surname ‘O Catháin’. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic words ‘cath’ meaning ‘battle’, and ‘án’ meaning ‘ancient’. It is a quite a common surname in County Cork in Southern Ireland.

The ‘O’ prefix in Irish surnames denotes a grandchild of the original owner or ancestor. This prefix disappeared from many Irish names, over the centuries.

The Canny variation is an especially popular form in Scotland. It derives from Irish surnames of ‘Ó Catháin’, which itself is an Anglicised version of the old Gaelic surname ‘MacCana’.

The Keenan and Keane adaptations, are thought to have their origins in Ulster in Northern Ireland. They are derived from the surname ‘Ó Cathánaigh’, again an Anglicised version of the Gaelic names ‘MacCathánaigh’ and ‘Mac Canna’.

The Kennah and Kenney surnames, are prevalent in the south of Ireland. It is derived from the Irish surname ‘Ó Cionnaith’, again an Anglicised version of the Gaelic ‘O Ceannaigh’.

The Kene and Keney offshoots of the name, derive from the ‘O Catháin’ original. The Kene spelling is most commonly found in London, England, due to large Irish emigration there in the 19th century.

The O'Kane and O'Keane are both old Gaelic surnames. They have their origins in the Irish ‘O Cahan’ which in time evolved further into the names ‘Kane’ and ‘Keane’, also both common spellings of the names.

Famous people with the name Keaney

• Bill Keaney: a former American football player for the New England Patriots.
• Anthony Keaney: an Irish songwriter and singer-songwriter.
• Bob Keaney: the former Queensland state MP and former winner of the prestigious Tattersall's Cup.
• Max Keaney: a professional Australian basketball player who plays for the Adelaide 36ers.
• Edward Keaney: an American actor best known for having appeared in television shows such as "The West Wing" and "The Good Wife".
• Christina Keaney: an English actress of stage and screen, best known for playing the role of "Nancy" in the BBC drama series "Lark Rise to Candleford".
• Clare Keaney: a Canadian film and television actress, best known for her work in the films "The Distance Between Us" and "Room".
• Theodosius Keaney: a former Irish Statesman and politician who served as the first Prime Minister of Ireland from 1864 to 1865.
• Bozeman Keaney: a former United States Air Force Major General who commanded the 10th Air Force in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
• Missie Keaney: an American TV series "American Housewife" and "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star.

Other surnames

KeaneKeaner