O'Cooney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of O'Cooney

Today's Irish surnames are underpinned by a multitude of rich histories. The name O'Cooney originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Cuana, probably derived from "cuan," which means elegant. 1

Early Origins of the O'Cooney family

Early History of the O'Cooney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Cooney research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early O'Cooney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

O'Cooney Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name O'Cooney include Cooney, O'Cooney, Counihan and others.

Early Notables of the O'Cooney family

Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Cooney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the O'Cooney family

Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name O'Cooney: the Cooneys who migrated to Canada, arriving in Peterborough, Belleville, and Lindsay, in 1825. Andrew, Anthony, Brian, Christopher, Henry, James, John, Michael, Owen, Patrick, Peter, Thomas and William Cooney arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..