The surname Greaney is of Irish origin and comes from a Gaelic family name O'Griannaigh, which means "descendant of Grania" or "little grain". The name is found primarily in County Mayo, located in western Ireland. The anglicized form of the name became Greaney over time. Variations of this surname include Greeney and Grennan.
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The surname Greaney is an Irish name, originating from the Gaelic O'Grianaigh sept, which belongs to County Clare. It translates to "descendant of Granach", where Granach means "grain or seed" in Gaelic. Historically, many Irish names are patronymic, meaning they were formed by adding son (Mac) or grandson (O') before the personal name of the ancestor. Over time, the name has evolved to Greaney and is commonly found among Irish descendants, particularly those from County Clare. It is pronounced as 'Gree-nee' in modern English.
The surname Greaney is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in County Galway and County Mayo, where it originated from the townlands of Gurteen and Kilkerrin respectively. Historically, these areas were part of the Connacht province. Today, a significant number of people with this surname reside in Ireland, but there are also sizable populations in other English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. This dispersal is likely due to Irish emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly following the Great Famine of 1845-1852. In the US, the states with the highest concentrations of Greaneys are Massachusetts, New York, and California.
The surname Greaney can have various spellings and variations, often due to differences in transcription over time or regional dialects. Some common versions of this name include Greeneigh, Greaneye, Greenai, Greeny, Greenea, Greeney, Greenie, and Greania. These variations may stem from phonetic alterations, such as changes in vowel pronunciation or the addition or omission of syllables, or they may reflect attempts to Anglicize Irish names with Gaelic origins. For instance, the original Irish form of the name might be Ó Graña or Mac Graña, which translates to 'son of Graña' or 'descendant of Graña', respectively. These names are derived from the given name Gráinne, meaning "grace" or "beauty" in Gaelic.
Notable individuals sharing the surname Greaney include:
1. Bernard Cornwell, an English author best known for his historical novels, particularly the Saxon Stories series and Sharpe series, set during the Napoleonic Wars.
2. Gerard Greene, a former American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1985 to 1997.
3. Peter Greaney, an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for the Sligo senior team and for club St. Patrick's.
4. Tadhg Furlong Greaney, also known as Tadhg Furlong, an Irish rugby union player who currently plays for Leinster in the Pro14 and the Ireland national team.
5. Christy Greaney, a Gaelic footballer who plays for the Galway senior team and St Thomas's. He won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with Galway in 2017.
The surname Greaney is an Anglicized form of Irish Gaelic "Ó Graíne," meaning descendant of Gráinne, a personal name derived from "gráin," meaning grain or oats. The family originated in County Mayo, Ireland, specifically in the Barony of Murrisk, where they were chiefs for several centuries. They moved to County Galway during the 17th century and became prominent there as well.
The Greaney family migrated to North America in significant numbers during the 19th century, with many settling in the United States, particularly in cities like Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City. The surname can also be found in Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries due to subsequent migrations.
Notable individuals with the Greaney surname include Michael J. Greaney, a former member of the Australian Parliament, and John Greaney, a prominent Irish nationalist leader in the late 19th century. The diversity and global distribution of the Greaney family make genealogical research an engaging pursuit for many individuals bearing this name.
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