Surname OGuinness - Meaning and Origin
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OGuinness: What does the surname OGuinness mean?
The last name OGuinness is most likely derived from the Irish name Mag Fhinn, which means "son of the fair one". This ancient Gaelic name was first found in County Fermanagh in the north of Ireland. The OGuinness family was associated with the ancient kingdom of Tir Eogain that ruled from the Iron Age to the Norman conquest.
The name and its various variations would have been adopted by families who chose to recognize their ancestral roots. Over the centuries, the name has been spelled various ways including O'Guinness, Guinness, Guiness, MacGinnis, Magennis and even McKennis. These variations evidence the complexity of Irish nomenclature and the various ways in which it changed over time.
It is thought the name OGuinness may have originated from an early Anglo-Norman knight, Richard de Guiness, who was granted lands in Connacht in the 12th century. It is also possible that the name is derived from the late 11th-century Norse-Gaelic kings of Dublin, Gilla Isa Mac Fhinn, who was also called ‘O'Ginn’ and ‘Guinness’.
Inheriting the name OGuinness gives you a rich history of the Irish people, and an understanding of their culture. It is a clear reminder that even in a modern world, a name can have a long and long-standing cultural meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisOGuinness: Where does the name OGuinness come from?
The surname O'Guinness is an Irish name, derived from the native Gaelic O'Ginnseain Sept that was located in County Cavan in Northern Ireland. The name refers to one's descent from Ginnseain, the son of the chieftain of Cavan during the 15th century. Although many members of the clan left Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries, the O'Guinness surname is still common in Ireland today.
The O'Guinness family originally comes from the ancient kingdom of Eóganacht Locha Léin. This kingdom, located in what is now known as County Kerry in Southwest Ireland, was once part of the mighty Munster province. This region has been home to a diverse population throughout the centuries. Although the original inhabitants were Gaelic-speaking, other languages, including English, were also spoken there.
The largest concentrations of O'Guinness family names today can be found in the city of Galway, located on the west coast of Ireland. In recent decades, the name has also become more prevalent in London. This reflects the fact that increasing numbers of Irish-born people are now living in the British capital.
In addition to Ireland, the name OGuinness is nowadays common in the United States. In America, it has been especially popular since the fifth decade of the 20th century, when significant numbers of Irish immigrants settled in the country. Currently, its highest concentrations are in the states of Pennsylvania and New York, as well as in the northeastern US.
Overall, the surname O'Guinness is widespread in many parts of the world, including Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. It signifies a proud heritage that dates back to the 15th century, when the original inhabitants of what is now County Cavan in Ireland began to bear the name. Clearly, the O'Guinness family is still going strong.
Variations of the surname OGuinness
The surname OGuinness is a variant of the ancient Irish Gaelic name Ó Gionnaith. It is derived from the Gaelic words ‘Gionn’, meaning ‘moustache’ or ‘prowess’, and ‘ais’, meaning ‘deed’ or ‘one who is’.
The most common spelling of this surname is O'Guinness, but there are also several other variations such as O Guinness, O'Guiness, OGuinnes, OGuinne, OGuiness, Ogoinnes, Ghunnes, OGoinnes, OGuinny, O'Guinn, Ogoinny, Ogynne, O'Gunns, OGuinn, and O'Geyne.
The surname has also been Anglicized to Guinness. Additionally, it has been slightly altered to fit other regional dialects, such as O'Giniss, O'Gyniss, O'Ginny, and O'Ghinges.
There are also other related surnames which stemmed from this name, such as MacGinnes, McInnes, McHines, McGeynes, McHynes, MacHines, Gunta, Ginty, Ginty, Ginne, Gunne, Gintee, Gunt, Gincome, Gunter, Gounter, Guntor, Gitted, Gitte, Gitty, Gittin, Ghetty, and Ghettier.
This surname tends to be particularly associated with County Cavan in the modern day Republic of Ireland. It’s believed it was first introduced to the area by the O’Reilly clan who descended from Ó Gionnaith adjoined to the partition of County Cavan in the Gaelic part of Ireland in 1054.
Famous people with the name OGuinness
- Daphne Guinness: British fashion designer and fashion icon.
- Major Ross O’Guinness: British World War I military officer.
- Desmond Guinness: Irish author, architectural historian, and socialite.
- Feargal O'Guinness: Irish radio presenter and voice artist.
- Edmond O'Guinness: Irish diarist, clergyman, and politician.
- Diarmuid O'Guinness: Irish lawyer, author, and former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.
- Honor O'Guinness: British artist and sculptor.
- John O'Guinness: Canadian politician and former Minister of Education.
- Lord Harry O'Guinness: British Army officer, courtier, and court-martial judge.
- Lady Henrietta Guinness: British socialite and philanthropist.
- Sean O'Guinness: Irish Gaelic footballer.
- Sir Anthony O'Guinness: British Army officer and politician.
- Patrick O’Guinness: Irish barrister, crime novelist and screenwriter.