Canney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Canney is one of the names derived from the families of the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland. It is derived from 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 Canney family

The surname Canney 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 Canney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Canney 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 Canney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Canney Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Canney has been spelled MacIan, MacAne, MacKane, MacKean, MacKain and others.

Early Notables of the Canney 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 Canney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Canney family to Ireland

Some of the Canney 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.

Canney migration to the United States +

The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Canney arrived in North America very early:

Canney Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Canney, who arrived in New England in 1631 1
John Canney, who landed in Maryland in 1668 1

Canney Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Canney, aged 28, who landed in Delaware in 1803 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Canney (post 1700) +

Donald J. "Don" Canney (1930-2011), American politician and civil engineer, Mayor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1969-1992), the longest serving mayor to date
Elizabeth Canney, American assistant editor, known for her work on Big (1988), *batteries not included (1987) and The Trip to Bountiful (1985)
Patrick Canney, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 13th District, 1852-54 2
Eugene F. Canney, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1940 2
Anthony J. Canney (1900-1948), American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Erie County 4th District, 1929-40; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1932 2
Seán Canney, Irish politician, County Councillor and Mayor of County Galway (2007-2008)

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html