Surname Cornish - Meaning and Origin

From Cornwall to Greece: The Unraveling of Cornish Lineage Through iGENEA DNA Test Results

Partly out of curiosity and partly to decode my family history, an iGENEA DNA test seemed like a perfect endeavor. Diving into this odyssey, instances of Celtic and unexpected Mediterranean descent came to light, weaving a rich tapestry of my Cornish heritage. But the revelations didn't stop here, hinting at traces of Neanderthal genes and helping predict potential health risks.

M. Cornish

Cornish: What does the surname Cornish mean?

The last name Cornish typically originates from Cornwall in the United Kingdom and was often given to those who originated from this region. The word "Cornish" essentially means "from Cornwall." Cornwall is a county located in the southwest of England, known for its distinct cultural identity and its own separate language, although the latter is not widely spoken today. The surname itself can be traced back to ancient Celtic times. It's interesting to note that the name Cornwall derives from the words "Cornovii," denoting a group of Celtic people, and "Waelas," meaning strangers or foreigners. Over time, these terms combined to form "Cornwealas", and eventually, they were shortened to the modern-day Cornwall and Cornish. This surname was historically used to refer to someone from Cornwall, just as someone from England might be called English. Like many surnames that denote a place of origin, it likely became a surname when families moved from their original homeland and were then identified by their former place of residence.

Cornish: Where does the name Cornish come from?

The last name Cornish is of English origin and refers to someone from Cornwall, a county located in South West England. The name is derived from the Old English terms "cornisc" or "cornwiisc," which mean "from Cornwall." The surname started as a geographical nickname for people who came from this region.

Although the name originated in the UK, it is now found globally due to centuries of migration. However, it is most common in English-speaking countries. These include other parts of the U.K., the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Despite its spread across the globe, its highest concentration remains in Cornwall and the surrounding areas of South West England. In the U.S., Cornish settlers first arrived in the 17th century and now the surname is most prevalent in New York according to the 1920 Census, although it is spread across the country.

Variations of the surname Cornish

The surname Cornish is of English origin and is derived from the Old English "Cornisc", meaning a person from Cornwall. The surname indicates that a person's family once lived in Cornwall or was associated with Cornwall in some way.

Besides the most common spelling "Cornish", some different spellings and variants of the surname include "Cornishe", "Corniss", "Cornich", "Corniche", "Cornichee", "Cournish". It was common for surnames to change and evolve over time, often due to illiteracy and the phonetic spelling used by record keepers. Therefore, these variations can be found in historical documents.

The surname Cornish can also be found as a first name, albeit rarely. An example would be Cornish McManus, a character from the novel The Shootist.

Sometimes the surname can have a prefix added to it such as "de", "le", or "del" which were often used to indicate a family's origin or place of residence. For example, "de Cornish" or "le Cornish". However, these variants are less common. Nowadays, the most prevalent form of the surname remains "Cornish".

Lastly, as with most surnames, regional differences can produce different pronunciations, but the spelling generally remains the same.

Famous people with the name Cornish

• Bob Cornish: A British professional golfer who has won several international championships, including two Ryder Cups.
• Michelle Cornish: An Australian actress who is well-known for starring in many Australian films and TV shows, including the drama series Neighbours.
• Amanda Cornish: An American TV personality and former Miss USA who has appeared on various reality shows such as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
• Miles Cornish: An American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who has garnered critical acclaim for his modern blend of folk and roots sounds.
• Ashton Cornish: An English cricketer who plays a right-hand batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in the County Championship.
• Nikki Cornish: An English filmmaker and music video producer who has worked internationally on music video and television projects for major record companies.
• Wesley Cornish: An American surfer who achieved fame in the 1990s as a contestant on MTV's popular show, Surfers Challenge.
• Bell Cornish: A Canadian actor who has had roles in television series such as Battlestar Galactica and The Flash.
• Jess Cornish: A British choreographer and dancer who has created works for television and film, including the BBC drama series Casualty.
• Joe Cornish: An English film director, writer, comedian, and actor who is best-known for his collaborations with Edgar Wright on films such as Ant-Man and The World's End.

Other surnames

CornillieCornilsCornilsen