Surname Hannify - Meaning and Origin
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Hannify: What does the surname Hannify mean?
The last name Hannify is an anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó hAonghusa, which is derived from the Old Irish personal name Aonghus, meaning “one strength” or “excellent strength”. It is believed the surname originated in County Monaghan, Ireland, though many people named Hannify now live in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa and across the European continent.
Hannify is an established surname, believed to be of the Uí Néill lineage, likely derived from a branch of the Cenél Owen dynasty. It is likely that many of the surname holders can trace their lineage back to a common ancestor, possibly a 12th-century chieftain of the Cenél Owen dynasty.
The surname Hannify is associated with the macMahon clan, which was one of the extended families of the Cenél Owen dynasty. Over the centuries, the name has been anglicized, truncated and changed in spelling in various ways as people moved around the world. Nevertheless, the core meaning and ancestry of the name remains the same.
Hannify is an original and recognizable Irish surname that carries with it a sense of pride and belonging that links families back to days before modern times. As with most Irish surnames, the name Hannify comes with many stories and a rich history, which connects us to our past and the people who gave us our name.
Order DNA origin analysisHannify: Where does the name Hannify come from?
The surname Hannify is most commonly seen today in northern parts of Ireland and Scotland. It is thought that the Hannify family originated in Scotland and migrated to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century.
The name is also found in areas of England, such as in the north west, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. It has also been documented in the United States, including New Jersey, Wisconsin, California, Michigan, and Washington.
The variation of the surname Hannify can also be seen in other European countries such as Germany, France, Spain, and Italy.
The most common variation of the Hannify surname is Hannify, however the surname can also be seen in variants such as Hanify, Hanniford, Haniford, and Hanifield. All these versions are derived from the root name Hannify.
The surname is derived from the Irish language and is a diminutive form of the first name Hanna, a pet form of the name Johanne. The ancestry of the name Hannify can be traced back to Ireland and Scotland.
Given the geographical spread and popularity of the name, it is likely that the Hannify surname is today one of the commonest Irish and Scottish surnames in the world.
Variations of the surname Hannify
Hannify is one variant of the surname which is otherwise known as Hanafy, Hanify or Hanafee. The surname traces its roots back to the Gaelic term O’hAonghuis, which translates to "descendent of Aonghus." This surname is far more commonly found in Ireland than it is anywhere else in the world.
Variants of the name can also be found in numerious other languages, especially in Arabic. In Arabic, the name can take many forms such as Hanfeh, Hanfah, Hanafi, Hanfeed, Hanfey, Hanfee and Hanfie.
Spellings of the name can vary from region to region as well, particularly in the United States. Variations such as Hannyfy, Hanify, Hannify and Hanafee can all be found in America.
Though the surname is most commonly found in Ireland, it shouldn't be surprising that there are many other variant surnames that trace their origins to the same clan. Names such as Hanafy, Hanefy, Haniffy, Hannify, Hanfee and Hanafee are all variants of the same original surname.
The name is also often found in variations such as Hannibal, Handel, Hanifin and Hanania.
Overall, Hannify is just one variant of the original Gaelic surname, O’hAonghuis. It has various spellings and permutations across the globe, from the United States to Middle Eastern countries. There are also many other surnames of the same origin, proving that this name is far from unique or rare in its own right.
Famous people with the name Hannify
- Pat Hannify: a news anchor for Fox 5 in San Diego, California.
- Sean Hannify: a professional snowboarder who competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
- Mick Hannify: a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Patrice Hannify: an opera singer known for her performances with the San Francisco Opera.
- Barry Hannify: a former NFL quarterback who was a member of the San Francisco 49ers in the early 1990s.
- Emma Hannify: an actress who has starred in the television series “The New Girl” and “Veep”.
- Ryan Hannify: a singer-songwriter who has released five studio albums and garnered critical acclaim.
- Kyle Hannify: a professional golfer who won the 2009 PGA Tour Championship.
- Megan Hannify: a television presenter and radio host who currently works at FOX Sports Radio in Los Angeles.
- Patrick Hannify: a professional skier who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.