Meaney

Meaney is an Irish surname, a variant form of O'Mooney. The name O'Mooney itself derives from the Irish Ó Maonaigh, meaning "descendant of Maonaigh", where the given name Maonaigh signifies "wealthy". Thus, the surname Meaney ultimately traces back to an epithet for a prosperous ancestor.

The majority of bearers of the Meaney surname are found in Ireland, with historical concentrations in counties such as Cork and Kerry. The name is also present among the Irish diaspora, notably in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Notable Bearers

The surname Meaney is shared by several notable individuals across various fields:

• Colm Meaney (born 1953), a celebrated Irish actor known for his roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as well as films such as The Commitments and In Bruges.
• Audrey Meaney (1931–2021), an English archaeologist and historian specializing in Anglo-Saxon studies.
• Kevin Meaney (1956–2016), an American comedian and actor known for his work on stage and television.
• John Meaney (born 1957), a British author of science fiction, including the Nulapeiron Sequence and Wolfshadow series.
• Liam Meaney (born 1972), an Irish hurler who played for the Kilkenny senior team.
• Michael Meaney (born 1951), a Canadian professor and researcher in biological psychiatry and neuroscience.

Game of Genealogy

• Meaning: "Descendant of Maonaigh" (wealthy)
• Origin: Irish
• Type: Surname
• Related forms: Mooney, O'Mooney, Ó Maonaigh