Surname Conaughey - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Conaughey: What does the surname Conaughey mean?
The last name Conaughey is of British origin and has two possible meanings. The first meaning is derived from the Welsh word "conwch," which translates to "hollow," and is thought to have reference to a physical feature of the landscape or to a local geographic area. Alternatively, the name could be derived from the Gaelic name "Mac an Oiche," which translates to "son of the night." It is thought that the Mac an Oiche family arrived in Britain from Scotland or Ireland after the Norman invasion of 1066.
The Conaughey family can be found mainly in England, Wales, and Ireland. It is also known to be found in America, where the family first began settling in the 1600s. Conaughey is a fairly common name, with over 50,000 people in the United States sharing the name.
The Conaugeys of past and present are a diverse bunch. They have made their name in many different fields such as entertainment, business, politics, and sports. The most prominent member of the Conaughey family is actor Matthew McConaughey, who has enjoyed a long and successful career in Hollywood. Other members of the family are sure to follow in his footsteps and ensure the Conaughey name lives on for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisConaughey: Where does the name Conaughey come from?
The last name Conaughey is prevalent today, primarily in the United States and Canada. It is a surname of Irish origin likely derived from two Gaelic surnames, Ó Conaghtaigh and Mac Conaghtaigh.
The surname can first be found in Ireland's history in the 13th century. During that time, the ruling family of the region of Clanconway (or Conaughey) was seated in north County Galway. They held a castle in the townland of Loughrea on the River Erriff at Clonfert and were successful in business.
Today, the surname is primarily found in Canada, the United States, Ireland, and Great Britain. According to the US Census Bureau, the surname Conaughey is the 5,924th most popular surname in the United States, with approximately 631 individuals bearing the name in that country.
The surname is most likely derived from the Irish Gaelic word, "conaighe," meaning "trained warrior." It is likely that those bearing the surname in the more recent centuries have descended from the original ruling family. In modern times, the surname can still be found in Ireland, primarily in North County Galway. Beyond Ireland, the surname is more common in English-speaking countries, such as the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Conaughey
The surnames Conaughey, Conagher, Conaghery, Conaghey, Conahey, Conaughay, and Connaghy are all possible variants and spellings of the same surname. Historically, the Conaughey surname has been associated with various Gaelic and Irish families in the British Isles.
Conaughey originated from the ancient Irish Gaelic name "O Conghaile," which itself originated from the Connachta dynasty. This dynasty was a branch of the prehistoric Milesian race of Ireland who arrived on the island from Spain in the early medieval period. The name is derived from "O Conchuaille," an old-Irish word meaning "wolf cub."
The name is also commonly found in Scotland and in the North of England, where early Gaelic settlers from Ireland settled after the collapse of their kingdom in Ireland in the early 1100’s. The surname Conaughey is also found in France and Luxembourg, where early Irish retreating Normans may have settled with Gaelic surnames.
Today, the Conaughey surname is quite widespread throughout the United States and Canada. In the US, the surname is historically most commonly found in the South, particularly in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. In Canada, the Conaughey surname is most common among Francophone Canadians and recent immigrants from the British Isles.
Famous people with the name Conaughey
- Matthew McConaughey: Academy award-winning actor who has starred in many popular films, including "Dallas Buyers Club" and "Interstellar".
- Mike McConaughey: Matthew McConaughey's older brother and a successful businessman.
- Rooster McConaughey: Father of Matthew McConaughey and a Texas-based businessman, rancher, and philanthropist.
- Pat McConaughey: Mother of Matthew McConaughey and an Award-winning real estate agent and interior designer.
- Kay McConaughey: Cousin of Matthew McConaughey and a Motion Picture executive and producer.
- Mark McConaughey: Uncle of Matthew McConaughey, and a former mayor of the city of Longview, Texas.
- Marshall McConaughey: Uncle of Matthew McConaughey and a former state governor and attorney general of Mississippi.
- Esther McConaughey: Great aunt of Matthew McConaughey and a survivor of the Irish Potato Famine.
- Jordan McConaughey: Nephew of Matthew McConaughey and a professional photographer.
- Don McConaughey: Grandfather of Matthew McConaughey and a Texas rancher.