Heaney is a surname of Irish origin. It is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó hEignigh, thought to be based on the Gaelic Eochaidh a personal name meaning "horseman". It was mistakenly thought to derive from Éan, Gaelic for Bird. Versions of it are written in the Annals from the 8th century [1] and has a diverse array of modern derivations and origins.[2]

Heaney, Ó hEignigh
Language(s)Gaelic
Origin
Meaningdescendant of horseman siu
Region of originIreland
Other names
Variant form(s)Ó hEanaigh, Eichnech, Eochaidh, Eicnig, Ó hEinigh, Ó hÉanaí, O'Heaney, Hegney, Heagney, O'Hicknie, O'Hicgnie, Haigney, O'Hicknie

They were chiefs of Fermanagh and Kings of Airgíalla before the expansion south of Uí Néill branches Cenél Fearadhaigh and Cenél nEoghain into Airgíalla and the rise of The Maguires in Fermanagh. They became allies to repel the Normans in the 13th century.

  • 1127, Gillachrist Ua hEighnigh, king of Feara-Manach, and chief king of Oirghiall, died in Clochar-Uí-nDaimhin (then the Royal capital of Airgíalla), after choice penance.[3]

Notable people with the surname include:

References

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  1. ^ by Mari Elspeth nic Bryan (Kathleen M. O'Brien). "Index of Names in Irish Annals: Éicnech".
  2. ^ Rev. Patrick Woulfe. "Ó hEignigh – Irish Names and Surnames".
  3. ^ the Annals. "Kingdom of Airghialla – Ulster Series".