Show ContentsGeaney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Geaney is the given name Ian or John. John is the most common personal name in the Highlands. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Iain.

Early Origins of the Geaney family

The surname Geaney was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Geaney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Geaney research. Another 166 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1340, 1618, 1667, 1717, 1777, 1808, 1875 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Geaney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Geaney Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Geaney has appeared as MacIan, MacAne, MacKane, MacKean, MacKain and others.

Early Notables of the Geaney family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Archibald McKain (1717-1777), Scottish Shoemaker and Burgess of Elgin, Morayshire, who became the 15th Chief of MacIain of Ardnamurchan. Also of note was Thomas M'kean of Delaware, one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence.John Canne (d. 1667?)...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Geaney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Geaney family to Ireland

Some of the Geaney family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada Geaney migration to Canada +

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Geaney were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown:

Geaney Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Geaney, who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1845

Contemporary Notables of the name Geaney (post 1700) +

  • Patricia Ann Geaney (1946-1996), birth name of Tricia Ingrams, English journalist and interviewer best known as a presenter of the regional news programme Thames News
  • David Geaney (b. 1985), Irish Gaelic football player
  • Seán Geaney, Irish Gaelic football coach and selector
  • Mary Geaney (b. 1954), former Irish camogie player who captained Cork to victory in the All Ireland championship of 1982 and won three All Ireland medals
  • Dave Geaney (b. 1959), Irish Gaelic footballer, an All-Ireland medal holder


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