Surname Guinane - Meaning and Origin
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Guinane: What does the surname Guinane mean?
The last name Guinane is an Irish surname of Anglo-Norman origin. It is derived from the Old French "Guignard", which was a nickname for a wide-awake or sly person. The Gaelic form of this name is Ó h'Uigeannáin, which was anglicized to O'Huiginn and then to Geenane and eventually to Guinane.
In Ireland, the name is most commonly found in the counties of Clare, Galway and Mayo. It is believed that members of the Guinane family were part of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the twelfth century. These families became part of the ancient Irish septs, and were granted land and titles by Henry II.
The Guinane family was extremely influential in the political and social systems in Ireland. They were involved in many civil and military affairs, even acting in the Irish Parliament.
Today, the spelling of the name Guinane may be found in many variants, such as Ginnane, Geinnane, Geenane, O'Huiginn, and Ó h'Uigeannáin. The name is still relatively common in Ireland, and it continues to signify a proud Irish heritage and a desire to uphold the ancient traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisGuinane: Where does the name Guinane come from?
The surname Guinane is often found in the US, Canada, and Ireland today. In the United States in particular, the name is found throughout the country, but is particularly concentrated in certain regions. In the Northeast, there is a notable presence in Massachusetts. It is also very popular in North Carolina and Florida. In the Midwest, the states of Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin have high populations of individuals with Guinane as their last name. The name is especially pronounced in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
In Canada, the surname is common in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. Most individuals with the surname in this country trace their roots to Irish-born settlers who came to the area in the 19th century.
Finally, in Ireland itself the name is most frequently found in the southern parts of the country. The majority of individuals can be found in Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Wicklow. The surname is also quite common in Tipperary and Kerry.
A cursory glance at these sources reveals that the surname Guinane is relatively unique for its location and has deep historical roots. For individuals living across the globe, having Guinane as a surname remains a point of pride and a source of identity.
Variations of the surname Guinane
The surname Guinane is of Irish origin, and is a spelling variant of Ó Cuinéain in Irish Gaelic, meaning descendant of Cuinéan. Guinane is the most common usage of the surname in present-day English, but there are several other spelling variants, including Guinan, Coony, Cooney, O'Cooney, O'Coony, Coonian, Gwinnane, Quineen, Quineen, and Quinean.
The Irish surname Guinane can present several different spellings or be written as O'Coony, OConéain, Quiney, Quinely, or Quinein. The surname appears in the modern form in the Annals of the Four Masters along with other variants. This is an early Irish document which record political and social events of Ireland from the early medieval period. The earliest mention of the surname is in 1247, when Donncuan o Cuinéain, Bishop of Kilmore was recorded.
The Cooney spelling variant has been present in Ireland since the 17th century. This variant was introduced by Scottish settlers who adopted the surname as a result of the Plantation of Ulster in the 16th century. Another variant, Coonane, was created in the 19th century in which the ‘o’ was dropped from the surname to signify a large number of families of the Cooney/Coony clan who were part of the Irish diaspora.
Quinely, Quinein, and Quineen are also associated with the surname in the British Isles and can be traced back to the surname in Northern Ireland. This spelling is also more widespread in modern-day America, with people bearing the surname immigrating beginning in the mid-1800s.
The surname is most common in Ireland with various spellings and can be found throughout the world today.
Famous people with the name Guinane
- Aishling Guinane: actress, model, and writer
- Mariann Mayberry: stage, film, and television actress
- Guy Guinane: Belgian businessman
- Pat Guinane: American football fullback
- Terri Guinane: actress, model and casting director
- Gerry Guinane: former Irish cricketer
- Jerry Guinane: American television writer, actor, and director
- Emmett Guinane: Irish professional Gaelic footballer
- John Guinane: British journalist and author
- Francis Guinane: 20th-century Irish prelate