Surname Hearney - Meaning and Origin

Hearney: What does the surname Hearney mean?

The last name Hearney is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "O'Hearn". The name "O'Hearn" is derived from two words - "Ua" meaning "grandson" or "descendant" in Gaelic, and "hEamhna" meaning "lion". Therefore, it is believed that the Hearney name indicates descent from an ancestor who was a brave and proud individual, likely likened to a lion.

In Ireland, the Hearney family was spirited and independent, leading to an early migration of Hearneys from Ireland to many other parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. There they found freedom and opportunity, and proudly carried on the Hearney legacy that is still found today.

The Hearney name is associated with many great qualities, such as strength, courage, and leadership. Those with the Hearney name strive for excellence and are often seen as problem solvers and innovators. They also tend to be passionate and ambitious, excelling in whatever tasks they set out to do.

The Hearney name is a rich and proud reminder of generations of heritage and tradition, and a symbol of strength and innovation that will continue to be passed down to future generations.

Hearney: Where does the name Hearney come from?

The last name Hearney is most commonly found in the northeastern United States, including New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. It can also be found in some Canadian provinces such as Ontario. Hearney is believed to have originated in County Donegal, Ireland, which is part of the historical province of Ulster. It is likely that the original form of the name was "MacGiolla Chearadaigh" or "MacGiolla Thoire" which translates to "son of the devotee of St. Terence".

Hearney is a relatively uncommon name today, though it is still seen here and there. According to the US Census in 2019, there were only 515 people in America who had the last name Hearney. This was down from 610 people in 2000, suggesting the name is becoming rarer over time. In Canada, the amount of people with this surname is even lower. A search of online Canadian databases reveals that only 34 people have the Hearney name.

Given its Irish origins, Hearney is still fairly popular in Ireland today. However, it seems there is no longer a single concentrated area where a lot of people share the name. Instead, it is spread across the country. A popular website for family genealogy, called Forebears, shows that nearly 2,400 people in Ireland have the last name Hearney.

Variations of the surname Hearney

The surname Hearney is a variant of the name O'hEochaidh, and there are a number of possible alternate spellings and variants, including the surname O'Harny, O'Harney, Orney, O'Herney, O'Hearne, O'Herny, O'Hehirn, Arney, Earny, Harny, Herne, Herny, Hearny, Hehirn, and Hearne.

The surname originated in the south of Ireland, and is derived from an ancient Irish king, Eochaidh, who was the head of the O'Neill clan. In Irish Gaelic, the name is spelt as O'hEochaidh. Subsequently, the surname came to be associated with either a bear or a warrior, and the prefix o' signifies a "grandson of", or "descendant of". This is because the O'Neill clan was matriarchal, and descent was traced through the mother's side of the family.

Over time, the surname O'hEochaidh evolved into a number of alternate spellings and forms. The most prominent variants of the surname, O'Harny and O'Harney, can be found in modern Irish records. However, O'Harney is an uncommon spelling of the name, as many anglicized it to O'Harny.

O'Herney, O'Hearne, O'Herny, and O'Hehirn are also common variations of the name, and can be found as surnames in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The surnames Arney, Earny, Harny, Herne, Herny, Hearny, and Hehirn are also variants of the original name. All of these names evolved from the original O'hEochaidh, meaning "grandson of the king".

Famous people with the name Hearney

• Liam Hearney: Irish footballer
• Dennis Hearney: former footballer
• Bill Hearney: American baseball player
• William Hearney: professional cyclist
• Joe Hearney: former Australian rules footballer
• Shannon Hearney: acclaimed Australian sculptor
• Alex Hearney: British discus thrower
• Kerry Hearney: former professional Australian cricketer
• Samuel V Hearney: influential Welsh minister
• Zak Hearney: professional footballer
• Cameron Hearney: former Australian rules footballer
• Leslie Hearney: English cricketer
• Alice Hearney: former American cheering and academic coach
• Steven Hearney: former American basketball coach
• Wilbur Hearney: noted American civil rights leader and advocate

Other surnames

HearnHearne