Surname Menneely - Meaning and Origin
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Menneely: What does the surname Menneely mean?
The last name Menneely is an Anglo-Irish surname. The Menneely surname originates from the Gaelic name MagNéill, which was Anglicized to two distinct spellings of Meneely or McNeely. Menneely is derived from the combination of two Gaelic words - "Mag," meaning "son,' and "Néill," a given name meaning "champion." The combination represents a clan, likely descended from a legendary individual and his descendants, whose name became a hereditary surname.
Over the centuries, the Menneely surname spread throughout the British Isles, taking on different variations in spelling. The Irish Menneely family was among the earliest settlers in North America, mainly settling in parts of Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.
The origin, evolution, and history of the Menneely surname is indicative of a people who survived incredible hardship, loss, and perseverance. It shows the strength and courage of a small nation that has influenced much of the world today, and those who carry on the name Menneely and other spellings of the same name can take pride in their noble heritage and proud history.
Order DNA origin analysisMenneely: Where does the name Menneely come from?
The last name Menneely is most commonly found in the United States today, though its origins are unknown. The earliest known record of the Menneely name is from 1803, when John Menneely was documented in Maryland. That same year, Daniel Minorly was documented in Pennsylvania.
The Menneelys have since spread across the United States, and can be found in every corner of the country. The most common concentrations of Menneely's today tend to be in Middle Atlantic and Midwestern states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, and Indiana. And in 2020, the name Menneely was ranked as the 15,303rd most common name in the United States.
The Menneelys have also had a fairly significant population in Canada over the years, though it’s less widespread than the U.S. population. The name is usually found in areas near the U.S. border, such as Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
To this day, there’s still no definitive answer to where the Menneely name originated from. There are conflicting theories ranging from German to Irish, though none have been proven conclusively true. Nonetheless, its legacy endures over two centuries later.
Variations of the surname Menneely
Menneely is an uncommon English surname which can have different variants and spellings. Common spellings include Minnely, Minnelly and Minnelee. Variants and alternate spellings include Minniely, Minelly, Minelley, Menneley, Menelly, Minnelee, Minelely, Mennisly, Monnely, Mannelly, Mannely and many more.
Surnames from the same origin include Minney, Minnee, Mantel, Mann, Minn, Minney, Moloney, Mooney and Mattel. These variations of similar sounding surnames all derive from the early Middle English words "mine" and "man," which were used to distinguish individuals.
The surname Menneely is most commonly seen in the United States, specifically in Georgia, Ohio, and Michigan. It is also found in the United Kingdom, where most occurrences of the name are to be found in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
Despite is being a rare name, Menneely has a rich history. It can be traced back to the 14th century where a notable family made a name for themselves in Yorkshire and Derbyshire. They were the descendants of Robert de Menneely, a soldier who fought valiantly in the Crusades. The Menneely family was later granted lands in Ireland during the 13th century.
The surname Menneely is an intriguing and unique name that has managed to survive centuries of change. It is possible that some descendents of this notable family still exist today continuing their legacy with pride.
Famous people with the name Menneely
- Mel Menneely: Former Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Browns.
- Tom Menneely: American professional golfer.
- Jack Menneely: American football player who was a four-year letterman at quarterback at the University of Georgia and was also named to the All-SEC team.
- Dennis Menneely: American basketball player, coach and executive.
- Jim Menneely: Retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who was a member of the Toronto Marlboros in the American Hockey League.
- Pete Menneely: NFL quarterback who played for the Baltimore Colts for two seasons.
- Robert Menneely: American politician and former mayor of the Borough of Oakmont, Pennsylvania.
- Ryan Menneely: Former professional wrestler, best known for his work in the independent promotions of New England.
- Mark Menneely: Former professional basketball player and coach, most recently the head coach of the ABA team Long Island Vigilantes.
- John Menneely: American professional Golfer, best known as a multiple champion on the Nationwide Tour.