Surname Tammany - Meaning and Origin
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Tammany: What does the surname Tammany mean?
The last name Tammany is of French origin and is believed to have been derived from the French word “tamier” which means a “tiller,” or someone who prepares the soil for planting. It is often associated with the Tammany Society, which was a 19th century American political organization, most specifically used for the Democratic Party for the city of New York.
The Tammany Society was initially formed in May 1789 as a show of support for the newly formed federal government. It quickly became a powerful force in city politics, as well as a philanthropic organization for the good of the people. It was so successful that it also gained gargantuan popularity throughout America to the point that the term "tammany" came to be synonymous with the Democratic Party of New York.
The term "Tammany" would also be used later as a derogatory term for a politcal system in which rigid control is enforced in exchange for dispensing favors. In this manner, the Tammany Society was used as an example of political corruption.
Although it has a varied history, the name Tammany is still used today and is associated with community service and activism, as well as the philanthropic organizations started by the original society.
Order DNA origin analysisTammany: Where does the name Tammany come from?
Tammany is most commonly found today in the United States, where it is primarily a surname. The origin of the name is uncertain, but it is believed to be of Native American origin, as a result of the close connection between European colonists and Native American tribes in colonial times. Tammany was one of the most common family names in the northeastern portion of the US in the late 18th century.
The name Tammany can be seen in many different places today, used both as a given name and a surname. A street in New York City, Tammany Hall, was named after the Tammany Society, which was established in 1786. A few small towns in the US still bear the name, such as Tammany Hall in North Carolina. The Tammany Hall building, which was destroyed in 1961, is now home to the New York Historical Society.
The Tammany family also had many influential political figures. William M. Tammany was mayor of Philadelphia from 1856 to 1858 and was influential in the establishment of the Liberty Bell. William Tammany was a major contributor to the Tammany Hall political machine. Furthermore, the Tammany Tribe is a Native American tribe in Pennsylvania, which is believed to be the origin of the name.
Today, most people who have the last name Tammany live in the US. They are descended from the original Tammany family that lived in the Northeast of the US in the 18th century.
Variations of the surname Tammany
Tammany is an interesting surname with a rich history. It is believed to be of Irish origin and first appeared in America as an anglicized spelling of the Irish Gaelic Ó Tomáin. It was first used by the Irish immigrant Thomas F. Shanahan and his sons, who were significant political figures in Philadelphia in the late 18th and 19th centuries. From there, the Tammany surname spread across America, becoming the most common variant.
Other variants on the Tammany surname include Tomany, Tomaney, Taman, Tamanee, Tamanney, Tophonny, Tamrin, Tankny, Tomangy, Thamanny, Thomany, Thominny, and Tommee. The surnames spelled slightly differently or with slight spelling variations on the Tammany surname, include Tomaney, Tomni, Tommi, Tomany, Tumman, and Tomee.
The Waite surname is also derived from the Tammany surname. Thomas Waite (1730–1800) was the grandson of John Tommony, one of the earliest Philadelphia Tammany immigrants.
The Tammany surname has had many variations over time. However, no matter how it is spelled, this Irish surname is still linked to the Shanahan family of Philadelphia and has roots that go back centuries.
Famous people with the name Tammany
- William Marcy “Boss” Tweed: 19th-century American politician, leader of Tammany Hall political machine of the Democratic Party in New York City.
- Richard Croker: Irish-born American politician, leader of Tammany Hall in NYC from 1884-1902.
- Arthur W. Sullivan: New York lawyer and Tammany politician from 1870-1882.
- John E. Parsons: American lawyer and Tammany Hall leader from 1904-1924.
- Charles Francis Murphy: American politician of the early 20th century, leader of Tammany Hall from 1902 to 1924.
- John Hillock: American politician, law professor, and Tammany Hall leader from 1862-1873.
- Francis X. McQuade: American lawyer, politician, Tammany leader from 1894-1902.
- John J. O'Brien: American politician, Tammany leader from 1898-1906.
- George W. Plunkitt: American politician and Tammany Hall leader from 1887-1906.
- Thomas C. “Tama Jim” Fitch: American lawyer and Tammany leader from 1888-1894.