Heaney is a surname of

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

origin. It is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic ''Ó hEignigh'', thought to be based on the Gaelic a personal name meaning "horseman". It was mistakenly thought to derive from Éan, Gaelic for Bird. Versions of it are written in the

Annals Annals ( la, annāles, from , "year") are a concise historical record in which events are arranged chronologically, year by year, although the term is also used loosely for any historical record. Scope The nature of the distinction between ann ...

from the 8th century and has a diverse array of modern derivations and origins. They were chiefs of Fermanagh and

Kings of Airgíalla Between the sixth and sixteenth centuries, the Kingdom of Airgíalla (Anglicized as Oriel) was one of the three major kingdoms that formed what is now the province of Ulster. The others were In Tuisceairt to the north and west, and Ulaid to the ...

before the expansion south of

Uí Néill The Uí Néill (Irish pronunciation: ; meaning "descendants of Niall") are Irish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noígíallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a historical King of Tara who died c. 405. They are generally divided into t ...

branches Cenél Fearadhaigh and

Cenél nEoghain Cenél is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Cenél Conaill, the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history *Cenél nEógain (in English, Cenel Eogan) is ...

into Airgíalla and the rise of The

Maguire Maguire ( , also spelled MacGuire or McGuire) is an Irish surname from the Gaelic , which is "son of Odhar" meaning "dun", "dark one". According to legend, this relates to the eleventh descendant of Colla da Chrich, great-grandson of Cormac ma ...

s in

Fermanagh Historically, Fermanagh ( ga, Fir Manach), as opposed to the modern County Fermanagh, was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, associated geographically with present-day County Fermanagh. ''Fir Manach'' originally referred to a distinct kin group of a ...

. They became allies to repel the

Normans The Normans ( Norman: ''Normaunds''; french: Normands; la, Nortmanni/Normanni) were a population arising in the medieval Duchy of Normandy from the intermingling between Norse Viking settlers and indigenous West Franks and Gallo-Romans. ...

in the 13th century. *1127, Gillachrist Ua hEighnigh, king of Feara-Manach, and chief king of Oirghiall, died in Clochar-Uí-nDaimhin (then the Royal capital of Airgíalla), after choice penance. Notable people with the surname include: * Aaron Heaney, Seapatrick fc * Aidan Heaney, retired English football player *

Andrew Heaney Andrew Mark Heaney (born June 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in the MLB for the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees and L ...

, baseball player * Bob Heaney, Canadian former ice hockey player * Charles Heaney, American photographer and painter *

Craig Heaney Craig Heaney (born August 1973) is a British screen, stage and radio actor. He may be best known as Private Roy W. Cobb in the award-winning ten-part mini-series '' Band of Brothers'' (2001). He played Phil in Danny Cannon's 2005 football movie ...

, British actor of screen, stage and radio *

Dermot Heaney Dermot Heaney (born 27 July 1971) is a former Gaelic footballer who played for the Derry county team in the 1990s and early 2000s. He part of Derry's 1993 All-Ireland Championship winning side, also winning Ulster Senior Football Championships ...

, former Irish Gaelic footballer * Francis Heaney, crossword compiler * Frank Heaney, (1886–1937), Irish footballer * Gerald William Heaney, (1918–2010), federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals * Gerald Heaney (magician), (1899–1974), American magician *

Geraldine Heaney Geraldine Heaney (born October 1, 1967) is an Irish-Canadian ice hockey coach and former defenceman. She played 18 seasons and over 1,000 games with the Toronto Aeros organization, won six Ontario provincial championships and was named Ontario W ...

, Irish-Canadian ice hockey head coach * Harry Heaney, Emeritus Professor of Organic Chemistry *

Joe Heaney Joe Heaney (AKA Joe Éinniú; Irish: Seosamh Ó hÉanaí) (1 October 1919 – 1 May 1984) was an Irish traditional ( sean nós) singer from County Galway, Ireland. He spent most of his adult life abroad, living in England, Scotland and New York ...

(AKA Joe Éinniú), (1919-1984), was an Irish traditional (sean nós) singer from County Galway, Ireland. * Katie Heaney, American writer *

Mark Heaney Mark Andrew Heaney (born 14 August 1970) is an English drummer and composer, hailing from London. He was a member of The Seahorses (1998–1999), The Shining (2001–2002) and Gang of Four (2006–2013). Heaney's interest in drumming began ...

, drummer * Neil Heaney, English former footballer *

Patrick Heeney Patrick Heeney (19 October 1881 – 13 June 1911), sometimes spelt Heaney, was an Irish composer whose most famous work is the music to the Irish national anthem " Amhrán na bhFiann" (). Background Heeney was born at 101 Lower Mecklenburgh Str ...

, (1881–1911), sometimes spelt Heaney, was an Irish composer whose most famous work is the music to the Irish national anthem "Amhrán na bhFiann" (English: "The Soldier's Song"). * Sarah Heaney, Scottish television presenter *

Seamus Heaney Seamus Justin Heaney (; 13 April 1939 – 30 August 2013) was an Irish poet, playwright and translator. He received the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature.

, (1939–2013) was an Irish poet, playwright and translator. He received the 1995 Nobel Prize in Literature. * Stewart Heaney, Canadian cricketer * Thomas Heaney, Australian rules footballer * Tim Heaney, (1914–1996), South African cricketer

References

{{surname, Heaney English-language surnames Anglicised Irish-language surnames Surnames of Irish origin