Geaney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Geaney

What does the name Geaney mean?

The surname Geaney comes from the original Irish Gaelic name Ó Geibheannaigh or Mac Geibheannaigh. 1

Early Origins of the Geaney family

The surname Geaney was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, which is the principal homeland of the sept O Geibheannaigh. The O Geibheannaigh sept belonged to the Ui Maine (Hy Many) and descended from Geibheannach, the son of a Hy Many chief slain in 971. There was also a County Fermanagh sept called Mac Geibheannaigh mentioned in the Annals of Loch Ce in 1308.

Early History of the Geaney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Geaney research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1590 and 1599 are included under the topic Early Geaney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Geaney Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Keaveney, Keveney, Kevany, Geaveny, Geaney, Geane, Gaine, Gainey, O'Keaveney, O'Geaney and many more.

Early Notables of the Geaney family

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

Geaney migration to Canada +

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) +

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
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

The Geaney Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Turris fortis mihi Deus
Motto Translation: God is a tower of strength to me.

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.