Surname Lunney - Meaning and Origin

Lunney: What does the surname Lunney mean?

The origin of the surname Lunney is disputed, with some claiming it may be an Anglicised version of local Gaelic surnames. Others have suggested it may be derived from the Gaelic phrase "an liun" which could mean "descendant of the champion".

The Lunney surname is common in Ireland, particularly in counties Wexford and Galway. The Lunney family have been settled in Wexford for centuries, where some descendants still live today.

In the late 1600s, Irish people were forced to change their names when English rulers began to require certain surnames. This was an effort to make it easier to locate people on maps and census forms. Although the Lunney name is likely to have been anglicized in the process of renaming, it is still used in its original form by some Irish families.

The Lunney name is found throughout the world, particularly the US, Canada, and the UK. It is a testament to the family's global travels and its tenacious commitment to preserve their heritage. Several Lunney families are especially remembered for their heroism during WWI, when they gave their lives to protect freedom and defend their homeland.

The Lunney family stands as an example of the strength, loyalty, and courage that characterize the best of Irish culture. This name’s long presence in Irish history is an important reminder that our stories and traditions are timeless and are worth remembering and honoring.

Lunney: Where does the name Lunney come from?

The last name Lunney is primarily found in Ireland, particularly in Belfast and County Down. It is believed to have originated with the Norman de Leon family who settled in Ireland in the twelfth century. The name can also be found in Scotland and parts of England, particularly in the north and in some of the cities such as Liverpool and Manchester.

However, the surname has been carried overseas by Irish immigrants who settled in places such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the United States there are numerous Lunneys in places such as New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Texas and Maryland.

The Australian city of Melbourne has a particularly large number of people who bear the Lunney surname, followed by small pockets in the other states of South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia. In Canada, most Lunneys are concentrated in Ontario and Quebec.

The Lunney surname is becoming increasingly popular all over the world, with records to show that many people today who share the same surname are entirely unrelated.

Variations of the surname Lunney

The surname Lunney has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are O'Lonney, Lunny, Lonney, Lonny, and Lunnie.

O'Lonney is the most ancient Irish variant and one of the most common. It literally translates to “grandson of lunn”, a personal name meaning “haughty” or “proud”. The O prefix is a sign of respect and joy, it signifies that a person is a descendant of a prominent figure or a revered saint. This surname dates back to the 7th century when the kingdom of Uí Néill was formed.

The spelling Lunny is an Anglicised version of the Irish O’Lonney. It is also an alternative spelling for the Irish name Mac Lochlainn, originated in Co. Antrim, Ireland.

Lonney is a variant of the Irish surname O'Lonney. It is a simplified version of the name and is commonly found in English Anglo-Saxon countries. It is a patronymic surname derived from the Irish name Lunn meaning 'haughty' or 'proud'.

Lonny is a variant of the Irish name O'Lonney. It is a diminutive of the personal name Lunn. The name has been in Ireland since the 7th century and is believed to have descended from the kingdom of Uí Néill.

Lunnie is a variant of the Irish name O'Lonney. It is the diminutive form of the personal name Lunn, which is derived from an old Irish word meaning ‘haughty’ or ‘proud’. It is a patronymic surname of Irish origin, historically associated with the kingdom of Uí Néill.

These variants, spellings, and surnames all originate from the same source and offer different cultural connections to the surname Lunney.

Famous people with the name Lunney

• Marcus Lunney, Welsh rugby union player
• Chris Lunney, Australian radio producer
• Margaret Lunney, Irish explorer
• Brid Lunney, American artist
• Michael Lunney, former CEO of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
• Cathal Lunney, Irish hurler
• Mary Lunney, Irish writer
• J. F. C. Lunney, English chemist
• Guy Lunney, Australian conductor and musician
• Sam Lunney, English footballer

Other surnames

Lunneen