Surname O'Dinning - Meaning and Origin
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O'Dinning: What does the surname O'Dinning mean?
The Irish surname O’Dinning is derived from the Gaelic word O Duinnen, which means “descendant of Dunne”. Dunne is an old Gaelic personal name which is believed to derive from the element “donn”, meaning “brown” or “dark”. It is thought that the original bearer of the name may have had dark hair or features.
The O’Dunning name is found in records beginning in the 12th century, when an ancestor known as Donndubhan Ua Duinnen served as a witness in the county of Meath. This name evolved over time to Donn de Dinning, and eventually to the modern O’Dinning spelling.
The earliest recorded bearer of the O’Dinning name is believed to be Donn de Dunning, who was documented during the reign of King Henry II in the 12th century. His descendants went on to become a powerful family in the area of north Dublin and Wicklow. By the 19th century, O’Dunnings had spread to other parts of Ireland, including areas of Ulster and Leinster.
Today, O’Dunnings are found all over the world. Many are descended from Irish immigrants to the United States, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. No matter where they are, the O’Dunnings can take pride in their ancient Gaelic roots.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Dinning: Where does the name O'Dinning come from?
The last name O'Dinning is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name Ó Duinnín, which is a patronymic name meaning descendant of Donnín, who was a personal name meaning “little brown one”. While the surname was once common in Ireland, today, the name is most commonly found in the United States.
The name was first brought to the United States in the mid-19th century during the great migrations of Irish families leaving their homeland to start anew in America, in the wake of a series of oppressive laws and failing potato crops. Records from the US census show that by 1890, the name O'Dinning was spread far and wide across the US – it was most common in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, and Indiana.
Today, the last name O'Dinning can still be found throughout many parts of the US. Tracing the name through census records finds concentrations in the Mid-Atlantic states, as well as the Midwest. There are also O'Dinnings living in Texas, California, Washington, and Oregon.
The name may still be found in Ireland, as there are some O'Dinnings who remained in their homeland. Similarly, Canada has a small number of households with the surname, possibly descended from those who emigrated around the same time from Ireland, seeking a better life in the New World.
Variations of the surname O'Dinning
The surname O'Dinning is derived from the Irish surname O Dongain or O Duinnin. This surname originated in County Donegal in Ireland during the Middle Ages. It is an anglicized form of the Irish Ó Duinnín, which is derived from the personal name Domhnall, which means "world ruler".
Variants of the surname O'Dinning include O'Dinning, O Duinnin, O Doning, O Donnyn, O Disming, O Duning, O Dunnin, O Dundeen, O Dugann, O Duggon, Dinning, Dingwin, Donnigan, Donegan, Dunning, Dundyn and Dundwin. Other surnames of similar origin and spelling include O'Donnaghan, O'Donnan, O'Donneen, O'Donnovan, O'Deegan, O'Degan, O'Donaghey, O'Donegan, O'Donaghue and O'Dunne.
The surname O'Dinning is a part of the "Gaelic Milesian" or "MacDonald" family of County Donegal. It is one of the more original Irish surnames and is considered to be of reliable authentic Irish tradition. In Scotland, the surname is found mainly in Angus and Aberdeenshire. In the United States, it can be found in all states, but is most prevalent in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, California, and Illinois.
The O'Dinning family crest is a hand grasping three arrows, which symbolizes great courage, sharpness and destruction. This surname has been in use in Donegal since the 12th century, and it is still a common surname in the area. It is often used as a variation of the surname O'Dinnen or O'Duinnin.
Famous people with the name O'Dinning
- Mary O'Dinning, public relations expert and political figure.
- John O'Dinning, former professional basketball player.
- Tito O'Dinning, Emmy award-winning actor.
- Sean O'Dinning, Olympic gold medalist ski racer.
- Gavin O'Dinning, world-renowned racecar driver.
- Liam O'Dinning, aviation pioneer and record-breaking flyer.
- Kevin O'Dinning, Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter.
- Connie O'Dinning, world-renowned ballerina.
- Patrick O'Dinning, best-selling novelist.
- Ryan O'Dinning, award-winning Broadway producer.