Surname Lunacy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Lunacy: What does the surname Lunacy mean?
The last name Lunacy is of English origin and is believed to have originated from the name 'Lunan', which means moon. This surname was likely given to someone who was seen as eccentric, or even somewhat insane.
In medieval England, it was believed that the moon could have an effect on the behavior of people, resulting in lunacy, or mental imbalance. People with this surname were often thought to be more prone to outbursts of erratic behavior or be more likely to be affected by the lunar cycle.
The term "lunacy" is now often used in a joking way, to refer to people who do something peculiar. This might include dancing in the moonlight or wearing pajamas to the grocery store. In the past, these things were seen as a sign of being touched by the moon- literally or figuratively.
Though the term has somewhat softened in its meaning, the Lunacy surname could be an indication of someone who has the propensity to be a little wild, or unpredictable. To some, having the Lunacy last name could be seen as a badge of honor, while to others, it could make them self-conscious. Regardless of the depth of meaning, it is an interesting and unique surname that is sure to spark conversation.
Order DNA origin analysisLunacy: Where does the name Lunacy come from?
The last name Lunacy is not a particularly common one today. It is most commonly found in North America and Australia.
In the United States, Lunacy is mainly found in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. The largest population centers with the name are in Allegheny County, PA; Monroe County, NY; and Cuyahoga County, OH. In Allegheny and Monroe counties, there are over 300 people with the Lunacy surname. In Cuyahoga County, Ohio, there are around 60 people with the Lunacy name.
In Australia, the Lunacy surname can be found in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. The largest population center is in New South Wales, with around 300 people with the Lunacy name. In Victoria, there are around 100 people with the name; in Western Australia, the population is around 50.
The Lunacy surname also appears outside of North America and Australia, but in much smaller numbers. It is found in smaller numbers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and France.
It is difficult to trace the origin of the Lunacy surname, but one possibility is that it was originally an occupational surname, derived from the Latin "luna," meaning "moon." It could also have been derived from the Old English word "lunatic," meaning "mad one."
Variations of the surname Lunacy
The surname Lunacy has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These are listed below:
Lunasey, Luncey, Luncy, Lunsay, Lunsey, Lunzey, Lunscy, Lunseye and Lunsy.
The surname Lunacy is of English origin and is believed to come from the Old English pre 7th Century word "lunesey" which means "spiritual inspiration or ecstasy". The surname is associated with ancient mythical gods of the Celts, especially that of the ancient Welsh God, Lleu Llaw Gyffes, as it is believed that the dawn or the "light of understanding" descends from him.
Other variants, spellings and surnames which have a related origin are Lunce, Lunson, Lunt, Lunford, Lindley, and Melonson.
The variations of the surname, Lunacy could also be attributed to regional accents. In certain regions, the sound of the letter "c" is slurred and pronounced as "t", which is why some variations of the surname may be Lunasy instead of Lunacy.
The surnames accruing from Lunacy suggest that the ill fortune associated with its modern-day use in reference to mental illness had yet to become common sense in medieval times, and was instead associated with being the chosen of a higher power.
Famous people with the name Lunacy
- Eric Lunacy: Electric music composer and musician from London.
- Kristen Lunacy: French-American actress and producer.
- Francoise Lunacy: American-born actress and model.
- Tim Lunacy: Professional photographer and director.
- David Lunacy: Entrepreneur and motivational speaker.
- Maya Lunacy: Thai-American singer/songwriter.
- Jake Lunacy: Professional baseball player.
- Kris Lunacy: Canadian-born communications strategist.
- Don Lunacy: American musician and singer-songwriter.
- Robert Lunacy: German-American classical painter.
- J.D. Lunacy: Award-winning author and film maker.
- Lady Lunacy: United Kingdom-based hip-hop musician.
- Pete Lunacy: Professional football player.
- Hilary Lunacy: English poet and public speaker.
- Thomas Lunacy: Curator and art consultant.
- Jimmy Lunacy: Jazz musician from the United States.
- Sandra Lunacy: Professional dancer and choreographer.
- Fiona Lunacy: Award-winning British journalist.
- Jonathan Lunacy: Actor best known for his roles in “Modern Family” and “The Big Bang Theory”.
- Derek Lunacy: Award-winning investigative journalist.