Surname Kegney - Meaning and Origin
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Kegney: What does the surname Kegney mean?
The surname Kegney is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Caighne, which translates to "son of Caighne". It is part of the O'Kane clan originating from County Derry, Northern Ireland.
The Kegney clan has been prominent since at least the 1700s when the name was being used by the people of Dungiven, a region just outside of Derry City in the North of Ireland. The clan was often found living on the west side of the Bann River, along the Foyle estuary.
The meaning of the name Kegney is uncertain, however, it could be derived from the Irish Gaelic word "Ceacht" meaning "knowledgeable." It could also come from the personal name of "Cathan" or "Cecane", and "ei" which means "descendent".
The Kegney clan is scattered around Ireland, England, Scotland and the United States, with some of its remaining families living in their ancestral home of Dungiven. It is believed that many members of the clan moved to America in the early 1800s, during the great Irish emigration wave.
The Kegney surname is extremely popular in America, where many of the Kegneys moved in search of a better life for generations of their family. The Kegney family name is still respected in both America and Ireland, as being a strong link to the proud Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKegney: Where does the name Kegney come from?
The surname Kegney is most commonly found in Ireland today, particularly in County Mayo. It originated in medieval times and was derived from the Irish Mac Eagain, which means 'son of Aodhagain'. In County Mayo, it is found mainly in Claremorris, Knock, Castlebar and Westport. It is also found in smaller numbers in Counties Roscommon and Galway.
The Kegney family produced three hereditary Irish biographies: Thomas Kegney after the poet O'Fihely, or O Flaithbealach Ó Fihely; Patrick Kegny, Poet; and Aodhagain Kegney the historian.
In the 19th century, John Kegney founded the St. Edward's Head Hotel in Castlebar, County Mayo, which is still in operation today as a family-owned business and home to the Kegney family museum.
The Kegneys were also heavily involved in the Irish National Land League, which was founded in 1873 to ensure tenant rights and promote land ownership among the poor. Members of the Kegney family, including Patrick Kegney, were presidents of the League and served as its Board of Directors.
Despite their long ties to the area, the Kegneys are dispersed both throughout Ireland and abroad today with many descendants living in the United States and Canada. In Ireland, the surname appears to be mainly concentrated in the counties of Mayo, Roscommon and Galway.
Variations of the surname Kegney
The surname Kegney is derived from a Gaelic Anglicized name Mac An Ghoill, which corresponds to the Irish surname Mac Néill. The forms of the surname that are related to Kegney include the spelling variations Kegny, Kegnie, Kegnay, Kegneigh, Kegnye, Kegnee, and Keigney.
Other spelling variations of Mac An Ghoill, and by extension Kegney, include MacAnGhoill, MacNgill, Magill, Ghoill, Ghill, MacNeale, MacNeil, MacNeal, MacNail, MacNealy, MacNeillyd, MacNeaily, MacNeeley, MacNeely, MacNail, MacNally, MacNely, McNealry, McNeely, McNeal, McNealey, and McNail.
Other surnames that have the same origin as Kegney include MacGehee, McKegney, MacGill, MacGilloway, McKnealy, and McKneely. The surnames McNeill, McNeilly, McChane, McCanny, McGeahy, MacGeahy, and MacKessee are also variants of Mac An Ghoill.
Kegney is an anglicized form of an old Gaelic name, therefore it is rare in the modern world. However, variations of this surname still exist among Irish and Scottish families, although it is more popular in its Americanized version than it was historically in its homeland.
Famous people with the name Kegney
- Paul Kegney: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Alan Kegney: Canadian politician
- Jordan Kegney: Canadian artist
- William Kegney: British architect and builder
- Robert Kegney: former president of the Irish League of Credit Unions
- Mike Kegney: Canadian martial arts champion and actor
- Shannon Kegney: Canadian actress
- Frederick Kegney: British classical singer and choral coach
- Daren Kegney: Canadian wrestler
- E. M. Kegney: Irish poet and storyteller
- John Kegney: prominent Irish historian and education reformer
- Fergus Kegney: Irish lawyer and judge