Surname Gurney - Meaning and Origin

Gurney: What does the surname Gurney mean?

The last name Gurney is of English origin and is an occupational surname. It is derived from the Old French word 'garnier', which means 'granary keeper'. The name is likely derived from someone who managed a granary or was involved in the farming of grain.

Gurney is a toponymic surname, indicating that the bearer of the name lived near a distinctive physical feature or landmark such as a rocky outcropping in an area where grain was farmed or stored. It is also associated with the Old French word 'gournay', which means 'built into the ground'. This could indicate a residence that was built into a hillside or underground, providing protection from the elements.

Gurney was likely used as a nickname for 'someone who watches over grain' or 'granary-keeper'. It was also likely used as a name for someone who was known to make sure the store of grain was in good order.

Gurney is still a popular surname today. There are numerous people of this name scattered across the world, as it has been adopted by many different cultures over time.

Gurney: Where does the name Gurney come from?

The last name Gurney can be found in many countries around the world today. It is particularly common in the United Kingdom, especially in England. Within England, the name is most commonly seen in the counties of Somerset, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire, although it is also found in other parts of the country. In the United States, Gurney is most commonly found in states with large British ancestries such as Virginia and New England. It can also be found in areas with large Scottish ancestries such as South Dakota, Ohio, and Michigan.

Outside of these two countries, Gurney is also seen in other nations, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, all of which were major destinations for British and Irish immigrants. In all three countries, the name is most commonly associated with the regions that were originally colonized by the British. For example, in Canada, Gurney is most commonly found in the Maritime Provinces.

In addition to these countries, the name is also quite common in Ireland, where it is believed to be one of the oldest surnames in the country. It is also seen in Germany, France, Norway, Iceland, and other countries in Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East and South America. Today, Gurney remains a popular surname, giving its originators a powerful legacy that will continue to remain present for years to come.

Variations of the surname Gurney

The surname Gurney has a number of variants and spellings, all of which have the same origin. Gurney is the most common spelling, but other variations of this name incorporate an 'e' in the second syllable, appearing as Guraney, Gorney, Gournay, Gournaye or Gurnaye. There is also Gurnee, Gurnie and Gurney, which retain the same pronunciation.

The origins of the name can be traced back to Scotland and Northern England, and is thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon word "Garn" meaning enclosure or enclosed piece of land. The suffix “-ey” was added to indicate possession. It may also derive from Old Norse, “Geirn”, meaning spear, indicating a warrior or fighter.

The name appears in the records of Scotland in the 12th century in the forms of Gernye, Garngey and Guirdeley, and in England in 1379 as Gurnet, Gurnard and Gurnet. Related surnames include Garnet, Gernet, Gurnet, Gurnit, Garnett and Gurney.

Some of the most famous bearers of this name have been the Gurney family who made their home in the early 1600s in Suffolk, England. The most renowned member of this family was banker and financier Joseph Gurney, who founded the Gurney Bank and is credited with opening up the banking industry to ordinary people.

Other variants of the Gurney surname are Garney, Gurny, Gurnaey, Gorney, Garni and Gorneye. The Gaelic spelling is Gurnaigh.

Famous people with the name Gurney

• Darnell Gurney: professional American racing driver who raced in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Xtreme Pro Series.
• Donald Gurney: a former pro American football wide receiver.
• Dan Gurney: an American racing driver, race car constructor, and team owner who lived from 1931 to 2018.
• Vere Gurney: British recipient of the Victoria Cross in the Second World War posthumously, for his “most conspicuous bravery” in North-West Europe.
• Tom Gurney: an Australian sculptor and auto bodymaker who was an important figure in the post-war revival of the industry in Melbourne.
• Thomas Gurney: an English Renaissance poet, who wrote Theatrum Poetarum.
• Christina Gurney: a professional British painter who specialized in still-life and animal portraits.
• James Gurney: an American artist and writer, known for his illustrated Dinotopia book series.
• Ingram Gurney: an English priest and academic who was president of Keble College, Oxford, from 1896 until 1921.
• Philip Gurney: an American artist, a member of the Gurney family of artists from Pittstown, New York.
• Frannie Gurney: a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Philadelphia.
• William Gurney: an English synchrotron physicist and professor at the Imperial College London.
• Alexia Gurney: a British YouTuber and actress known for her roles in Call the Midwife and Planetarium.

Other surnames

GurneeGurneye