McSweeney is a surname of Norse-Gaelic origin. It is the Anglicized form of the Gaelic '' Mac Sween or Swein'', meaning "son of '' Suibhne''". Despite claims that the personal name ''Suibhne'' is of Irish origin and derived from ''suibneus'', ''suaimhneas'', meaning "easy-going", or "pleasant", the eponymous ancestor of the McSweeneys was of Norse-Gaelic descent. According to the Annals of Tigernacht, Swein, Son of Cinaid (Kenneth), King of the Gal-Gaidhil, Died 1034 AD. Claims of the McSweeneys being of Irish origin and descendants of the O'Neills are entirely false and would appear to have been made up for two purposes - firstly to smooth their way into medieval Tyr Connail, where they conquered territory and became kingmakers, protectors and fosterers to the O'Donnells, who ruled that part of Ireland, and secondly, so it wouldn't appear that the O'Neills were having to rely on foreigners to do their fighting for them - especially as the 'cessing' of galoglas warriors would have been costly to the local population, as each man would have been awarded land and cattle. Although the McSweeneys undoubtedly had Irish connections going back centuries, Swein was actually a descendant of the Ui Imair, or House of Ivar (The 'Boneless'). Notable people with the surname include: *

Ailis McSweeney Ailis McSweeney (born 4 October 1983) is an Irish sprinter who specialises in 60 (indoor) and 100 metres. She previously held the Irish record at 100 metres, having posted a time of 11.40 s at an IAAF permit event in Liège, Belgium. A ...

(born 1983), Irish sprinter specialising in the 100 metre event *

Alex McSweeney Alex McSweeney is a British actor, best known for playing Graham Foster in '' EastEnders'' from 2003 to 2005. Other programmes he has appeared in include '' Silent Witness'' and '' Holby City''. He also appeared in ''Lewis'', in 2007. He has als ...

, British actor who appeared on the TV show ''EastEnders'' (2003–2004) * Alf McSweeney, printer who founded the magazine ''Race Walking Record'' in 1941, and edited the magazine for 16 years *

Barry McSweeney Barry McSweeney (died 22 October 2014) was an Irish scientist who was the first Chief Science Advisor to the Government of Ireland. Education and career McSweeney was born in Cork, Ireland. He attended University College Cork, graduating in 197 ...

, Irish scientist and the first Chief Science Advisor to the Government of Ireland * Dave McSweeney (born 1981), English footballer, senior career began in 2000 *

David McSweeney (politician) David McSweeney (born 1965) is a Republican politician and investment specialist from Barrington Hills, Illinois. He served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2013 to 2021. Early life, education, and career McSweeney was born in Park ...

(born 1965), Investment banker who was the Republican candidate in

Illinois's 8th congressional district election, 2006 The 2006 congressional elections in Illinois were held November 7, 2006 to determine who would represent the State of Illinois in the United States House of Representatives. Illinois had nineteen seats in the House, apportioned according to th ...

Ella McSweeney Ella McSweeney (born 31 October 1978) is an Irish food and farming journalist and reporter. She has worked for BBC, RTÉ (Ireland's national broadcaster) and the Guardian newspaper. She graduated from Trinity College, Dublin and is a post graduat ...

(born 1978), Irish radio and television presenter and producer *

Ervin McSweeney Ervin Bruce McSweeney (born 8 March 1957) is a New Zealand cricketer. He played 16 One Day Internationals in the 1980s as a wicketkeeper-batsman. International career He toured Zimbabwe with a Young New Zealand team in 1984–85, and with the N ...

(born 1957), New Zealand cricketer who played 16 One Day Internationals in the 1980s *

James McSweeney James Adam McSweeney (born 24 October 1980) is a British kickboxer and retired mixed martial artist. A professional MMA competitor since 2005, McSweeney is well known for being a cast member of Spike TV's '' The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights'' ...

(born 1980), English mixed martial arts fighter and former Muay Thai kickboxer * John McSweeney, known as John Zewizz (born 1955), English-born American industrial music performer * John McSweeney (Ohio politician) (1890–1969), United States congressman representing Ohio * Joyelle McSweeney (born 1976), poet, critic, and professor at the University of Notre Dame * Leah McSweeney (born 1982), founder and CEO of the "Married to the MOB" clothing line * Leon McSweeney (born 1983), Irish footballer, senior career began in 2000 *

Miles Benjamin McSweeney Miles Benjamin McSweeney (April 18, 1855September 29, 1909) was the 87th governor of South Carolina from June 2, 1899, to January 20, 1903. McSweeney was born in Charleston and was forced to become a paperboy at the age of 10 in order to hel ...

(1855–1909), 87th Governor of South Carolina (1899–1903) * Neil McSweeney (born 1976) Songwriter and musician based in Sheffield, England * Peter McSweeney (1842–1921), merchant and politician who represented the Northumberland division in Canadian Senate (1899–1921) * Robyn McSweeney (born 1957), Australian politician, member of the Legislative Council in the state of Western Australia *

Trash McSweeney The Red Paintings are a collaborative art rock band originally formed in Geelong, Australia. Founding mainstay, Trash McSweeney provides lead vocals, guitar, sequencing and sampling. He has been joined by various musicians throughout the y ...

, Australian musician and lead singer for the band ''The Red Paintings''

See also