Show ContentsMeney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gaelic, otherwise known as Early Modern Irish, was used in Ireland from around the year 1200 until the 18th century. It is from this language that we found the first references to the name Meney as Ó Maonaigh. This is derived from the word maonach, meaning wealthy. 1

Early Origins of the Meney family

The surname Meney was first found in County Offaly (Irish: Uíbh Fháilí) originally the Kingdom of Uí Failghe, located in central Ireland in the Province of Leinster, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Meney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meney research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Meney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meney Spelling Variations

Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Meney were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. Mooney, Moony, O'Mooney, Meeny, O'Meany, Meany, O'Meeny, O'Mainy, Meaney and many more.

Early Notables of the Meney family

More information is included under the topic Early Meney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Meney family

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Meney or a variant listed above: Andrew, Arthur, Catherine, Daniel, Hugh, James, John, Mary, Michael, Patrick, Richard, Thomas and William Mooney all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860.



  1. MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook