Surname O'Cannifree - Meaning and Origin
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O'Cannifree: What does the surname O'Cannifree mean?
The surname O'Cannifree is rooted in Irish culture and is derived from the Gaelic “Ó Ceanndubhfrith,” which means “descendant of Ceanndubhfhridh.” This surname was most commonly used throughout County Mayo, which suggests that the original bearer was likely from the Irish province of Connacht.
The O'Cannifree family resided in the townland of Ardough and would have been one of the larger families in the area. The territories belonging to this family spanned an area that included the parishes of Addergoole and Kilcolman. The ancient O'Cannifrees were of the noble class by birth, having held a position of authority in 15th century Ireland.
The primary origins of the O'Cannifree family are likely from the old Gaelic culture which places an emphasis on strength, loyalty, and honor. These are values that have been carried down for generations in the O'Cannifree family and continue to be pronounced within it to this day. The O'Cannifrees take great pride in their family’s history and hold fast to the age-old traditions.
The O'Cannifrees have a proud legacy and are well-known in the area for their strong sense of family and cultural identity. The name continues to embody the important values that Ireland was once founded on and will continue to do so for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Cannifree: Where does the name O'Cannifree come from?
The last name O'Cannifree is believed to be an Irish surname, typically spelt as O'Cannaifre or O’Cannifre. However, variations of the name also exist in countries like France and Spain.
The surname finds its roots in the old Gaelic Irish name, O'Cannfhoda, which translates to the descendant of Cano(the modern spelling of the name is Canna). Cano was a brave warrior and chieftain who lived during the 10th century. O’Cannifree is not very common today. In fact, a recent study conducted in Ireland showed that the name was present in just 4 out of the 640 counties in the country.
Outside of Ireland, the only other countries that are known to have people carrying the last name O’Cannifree on a notable basis are France, Spain, and the United States. In France, it is typically written as O'Cannaifre and in Spain, as O'Cannaïfre. The last name is also present in places like Australia, Argentina, and Colombia, but is very rare in those locations.
In the United States, the O'Cannifree name is generally associated with people with Irish heritage. The name was often used by Irish immigrants who arrived in the late 19th and early twentieth centuries, but in recent decades, the name has been replaced by other surnames.
Overall, the surname O'Cannifree is not widely-known or common today. Out of the countries in which it is still present, a vast majority of people have changed their last names due to marriage or have adopted names new names from other cultures.
Variations of the surname O'Cannifree
The origin of the surname O'Cannifree is believed to be an anglicized version of the Irish name Ó Cionnaoith. The name is believed to mean “descendant of Cionnaoith”, with Cionnaoith possibly referring to one who was “peaceful” or “benign”. Variants of this name include Ó Connaithe, O'Canna, Connifry, Condifre, Kannifferi, Canniffry, Conifery, Conaughy, O'Conifree, Connaughy, Kannenfre, Cannifre, Kannigfree, and Conigfry.
The spelling of the name has also changed over the years from Ó Cionnaoith to "O'Cannifree." This change in spelling could be due to phonetic change or to show associating with another surname such as O'Conifree. Similarly, various families of the same origins but different spellings may be related to one another. In Ireland, this is especially true since many names were anglicized and different families might use different spellings of the same name.
The O'Cannifree family is also sometimes linked to other surnames with the same basic meaning, such as “descendants of Cionnaoith.” These surnames are typically spelled similarly, but their roots might have been slightly different, such as O'Kanifry, O'Cannasse, O'Connifry, O'Kaniffri, and O'Kannifry.
Overall, the surname O'Cannifree has a long history and several associated variants, spellings, and surnames. The roots of the surname can be traced back to an Irish name meaning "descendant of Cionnaoith" and the various different spellings are associated with different families who might have had similar origins.
Famous people with the name O'Cannifree
- Seamus O'Cannifree: basketball player and former coach.
- Devin O'Cannifree: Canadian rugby player.
- Nick O'Cannifree: professional mixed martial artist and former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion.
- Cameron O'Cannifree: Irish actor and director best known for his portrayal of Paddy Garvey in the BBC sitcom Outnumbered.
- Anders O'Cannifree: American performer, producer, and director of stage and screen, best known for the musical Rent.
- Joe O'Cannifree: former professional tennis player and winner of four ATP doubles titles.
- Callum O'Cannifree: Irish Olympic sprinter who competed at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.
- Jack O'Cannifree: Australian comedian, writer, and actor.
- Michelle O'Cannifree: Irish actress known for her roles in several independent films.
- Liam O'Cannifree: English actor and singer, best known for his role as Tony Richardson in the BBC television series As Time Goes By.