Surname Feeney - Meaning and Origin

“Decoding the Past: iGENEA DNA test traces the Gaelic, Warrior and Irish Migration Roots of the Feeney Surname.”

Hoping to delve into my roots, I took the iGENEA DNA test and unearthed a trove of scientific findings regarding the Feeney surname. The results proffered an exciting peek into a lineage seeped in Gaelic nobility, migration patterns and deep connections with the British Isles.

O. Feeney

Feeney: What does the surname Feeney mean?

The last name Feeney is an Irish name deriving from the Gaelic Ó Fiaich, meaning “descendent of Fiaich”. While the root of the name is lost in antiquity, it is believed to come from the ancient Irish given name Ó Fiaich, which roughly translates to ‘wolf’. This surname was traditionally found in counties Cavan, Fermanagh, Sligo, and Leitrim in Connacht, and was mainly associated with the Uí Fhiaich sub-clan of the Uí Briúin.

The Feeney surname is also found in Scotland and England, but is most strongly associated with Ireland. During the English Conquest, many Scots changed their name to Feeney in order to fit in with the English rulers, and this explains the presence of the surname in the United Kingdom still today.

In Irish folklore the Feeney family was known as a settled and loyal group; they protected their lands and crests from foreign invaders by whatever means necessary. Throughout the ages Feeneys have been associated with honor and quick wit, strong convictions and loyalty to their family and friends.

Feeney is still a common surname in Ireland and, due to Ireland's diaspora and colonization of other nations, is also widespread throughout the world. Today Feeney families may be found not only in countries with strong Irish ties, such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, but all over the world as well.

Feeney: Where does the name Feeney come from?

The last name Feeney is most commonly found in Ireland, although it is present in many other countries. Records show that the Feeney surname began to appear in the Irish counties of Roscommon, Galway, Sligo, and Longford in the late 17th century. Since that time, it has become increasingly popular in the entire region. It is also present in parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland, as well as in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

In the US, Feeney is most commonly found in and around the Philadelphia area and the mid-Atlantic states, but it is present in most other states as well. As far as population goes, California and New York have the largest concentration of the surname, but Feeneys can be found in all 50 states. Canada is home to a large population of Feeney immigrants who have come from Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK.

Australia also has a large population of Feeneys, with many of them tracing their heritage back to those who first settled there in the 1800s. This is especially true in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, with Queensland also having a significant number of Feeneys in its population.

In conclusion, the surname Feeney is most commonly found in Ireland but is also present in other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Feeney

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Feeney include: Feeny; Finney; Fenney; Finny; Feany; Feely; Fieney; McFeeney; McFinney; McFenny; McFeany; and McFieney.

Feeney is believed to have originated as an Anglicization of the Irish O’Fianna, derived from the Irish first name Fionn, meaning fair. This surname is thought to have come about after the Anglican reformation.

Feeney is not a particularly common surname in the United States, but it is found in pockets of the country, especially in states with large Irish-American populations, like New York, Pennsylvania, and California. In Ireland, it is most concentrated in Dublin and around the east coast, with a number of Feeneys in other areas as well.

Some alternate spellings of this surname, like Finney and Fenney, are common in both England and the US, especially in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. The spelling Feany may indicate a more Irish-derived branch of the family.

In addition, a number of surnames that contain the Mc or Mac prefix can be derived from the Feeney surname. These include McFeeney, McFinney, McFenny, McFeany, and McFieney. These variations usually indicate a more direct Irish heritage for the family.

Famous people with the name Feeney

• Caitriona Balfe: Irish actress best known for her lead role in the TV series Outlander.
• Nicholas Feeney: American actor and director who has appeared on TV shows such as House, How I Met Your Mother, and Sharknado.
• Iggy Feeney: Retired American NBA player who won an NBA championship with the Portland Trailblazers in 1977.
• Tom Feeney: Former United States Representative and Senior Vice President of the National Taxpayers Union.
• Eugene Feeney: Former New York Supreme Court Justice.
• Jamie Feeney: English actor best known for playing Simon Doonan in the TV series Mount Pleasant.
• Colm Feeney: Irish businessman and former Chairman of the Galway Races.
• Anthony Feeney: Irish actor, director and writer who was co-founder of the Lyric Players Theatre in Belfast.
• Gavin Feeney: English football manager who is currently the manager of Notts County in League Two.
• Paul Feeney: British Member of Parliament representing the North East Somerset constituency.

Other surnames

FaFaaFaaberFaadFaarFaarriesFaasFaasenFaassFaaßFaassenFaaßenFaathFaatzFabariusFabbianFaberFabersFabertFaberyFabianFabriFabriciusFabricziusFabrieFabritius