Surname Connaway - Meaning and Origin
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Connaway: What does the surname Connaway mean?
The surname Connaway is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name O Connmhaigh, meaning “descendant of Connmhaigh”. Connmhaigh is a personal name derived from the word conn meaning “chief” or “wise,” combined with mahaidh, which translates as “bear”.
The surname Connaway is found primarily in County Clare, where it originated. It is also found in parts of Ulster, County Kerry, and County Meath. The surname is often anglicized to Conaway, Conawey, and Conoway.
The Connaway surname is associated with the O’Brien clan, one of the main tribes of Clan Murtagh. The O’Briens were lords of Thomond, a kingdom in what is now County Clare, and they have been recorded in the area since the 8th century.
The bearers of the name Connaway have traditionally been associated with strong leadership, community spirit, and a free spirit. It is likely that those who bear this Irish surname are descendants of powerful clan chiefs and chieftains that were powerful figures within their community and beyond.
Today, individuals with this surname are scattered throughout the world, particularly in the United States, Great Britain, and other countries with Irish diasporas. In each of these places the Connaway name carries with it a sense of strength and pride associated with the Irish and the O’Briens, both past and present.
Order DNA origin analysisConnaway: Where does the name Connaway come from?
The last name Connaway is not a particularly common surname today, however, it is believed to have started as an anglicised form of the Irish surname "Ó Conmhaigh" which is found in many Gaelic-speaking parts of Ireland. The most common regions where people with this surname still reside is the West of Ireland, particularly in counties Mayo, Galway, and Roscommon.
The Connaway surname is often linked to the O'Malley and O'Kelly clans, two prominent clans of the Huhne People, an ancient group of seafarers that used to raid the English coastlines. It is believed Connaway is derived from the Gaelic translation of "Conn" which means " Chief Warrior" and "Maighe" which translates to "plain" or "meadow".
The Connaways have a long and varied history, and there are references to them from as far back as the 13th century. In 1586, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the Connaway clan led a famous uprising against her authority which led to her exiling them from Ireland.
Most people today who claim this surname are believed to be descendants of that Gaelic clan who moved abroad and spread their lineage. Today, the Connaway surname can be found throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, among other countries. The surname is still more common in the regions of Ireland where it is believed to have originally originated.
Variations of the surname Connaway
Connaway is a surname found primarily in English-speaking countries. It is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname O Conghusaigh, which translates to "descendant of Conghus" in Gaelic. Variants of the name include:
Connellways, Connoway, Conaways, Connaways, and Connaways.
Spellings of the name may also vary, depending on the country of origin, such as:
Conaway, Conawaye, Coneway, Conoway, Connawaye, and Connoway.
The surname may also be found with other surnames of similar origin such as:
O Coniosaigh, O Conasaigh, Connasy, Conysagh, Conyssagh, Cuniosaigh, Conasy, Coonaway, Coonaways, and Cuniosay.
People with the surname Connaway can be found with a variety of other surnames associated with Ireland, such as:
Conner, O'Connor, Connors, O'Conner, O'Connors, Connery, and Conners.
The surname Connaway has been found in many different locations in the United Kingdom, in Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also found in other countries, such as Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and France.
Today, people with the surname Connaway usually come from countries in which English is spoken, but also from other places in the world to which the surname has been carried by those who have emigrated.
Famous people with the name Connaway
- John Connaway: A former American Major League Baseball players who played for the Chicago Cubs in the early 1940s.
- Katherine Connaway: AWARD-winning Australian wildlife photographer who has appeared on numerous TV programs and magazines.
- Paul Connaway: Irish Sign Language expert, lecturer, and author, and assistant professor at St. Olaf College.
- Nancy Connaway: an American actress best known for her roles on the TV show Homefront and the made-for-TV movie An Infamous Woman.
- Alex Connaway: former professional soccer player and current Director of Player Development for Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew SC.
- Betty Connaway: an American singer-songwriter and television producer who has penned the theme songs for popular sitcoms, such as The Jeffersons, The Facts of Life, and Diff’rent Strokes.
- Justin Connaway: an American business executive and consultant, former CEO of the Hartford Financial Services and former chairman of the board for Aetna.
- Bud Connaway: former professional basketball player who played for the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 1950s.
- Cora Connaway: a noted American author, feminist and spiritual leader, best known for her book Woman Is the Law of Life & Balance.
- Tucker Connaway: an American pop-punk singer-songwriter, best known as the front-man for the band The Sharks.