Kneafsey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The name Kneafsey comes from the Irish Gaelic "O Cnaimhsighe," which was derived from a female personal name. This Irish name was then anglicized to Kneafsey, Crampsey, Bonar, and their variants. Bonar comes from a pseudo translation of Cnaimhsighe, as "cnamh" by itself means "bone."

Early Origins of the Kneafsey family

The surname Kneafsey was first found in 1095, when the Annals mention Scannlan O Cnaimhsige as the confessor of Lismore. In 1584 Philip MacShane Y Neasy was on of Lord Viscount Roche's men, and was probably a northern Irish mercenary.

Early History of the Kneafsey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kneafsey research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1659 and 1665 are included under the topic Early Kneafsey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kneafsey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kneafsey, Kneaphsey, Neecy, O'Kneafsey, O'Knawsie, O'Crawsey, Crampsey, Crampsy, Crampsie, Cramsey, Boner and many more.

Early Notables of the Kneafsey family (pre 1700)

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

Migration of the Kneafsey family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Michael Crampsey and Patrick Bonar, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1816 and 1817; Mary Crampsay, who sailed to Baltimore in 1821; Shane, Mary, and Danieal Crampsey, who immigrated to St. John, New Brunswick in 1847.

Contemporary Notables of the name Kneafsey (post 1700) +

Joseph Kneafsey, English politician, Mayor of Calderdale, West Yorkshire (1989-1990)
Tamsin Dunwoody- Kneafsey (b. 1958), British politician who served as a Labour member of the National Assembly for Wales for Preseli Pembrokeshire from May 2003 until her defeat in the 2007

The Kneafsey 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: Denique coelum
Motto Translation: Heaven at last.