Surname Denihan - Meaning and Origin
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Denihan: What does the surname Denihan mean?
The last name Denihan is an anglicized version of the Irish name Ó Gaoithín, which translates as descendant of Gaoithín. This surname originated in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Gaelic surnames are derived from the original Gaelic language spoken in Ireland and Scotland.
Gaoithín is a Gaelic word meaning “noble and fair". The person who bore this name was well-respected and had a noble nature. The prefix 'Ó' denotes a male descendant of a particular ancestor, and is used to create the surname.
As the surname Denihan is basically a prefix of an Irish surname, the meaning of the name itself could be seen as ‘descendant of the noble and fair’. This implies that the individual bearing the name was of a noble spirit and character.
The name Denihan is most commonly found in the region of Kilkenny, and in the United States, primarily in New York. In Ireland, the name Denihan ranked in the top 100 last names in the country in the last census.
The last name Denihan holds a lot of value in history and ancestry. To have this surname is to carry on a family legacy that was once shared by a noble individual, and to continue their story.
Order DNA origin analysisDenihan: Where does the name Denihan come from?
The surname Denihan is common in several countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and Canada.
The United States has the highest population of Denihans, both in absolute numbers and population density. Denihan is most heavily concentrated in New England and the mid-Atlantic states. There is also a lively presence in the Midwest, particularly in the Great Lakes region.
The United Kingdom is home to a substantial number of Denihans, many of whom trace their ancestry to Ireland. Denihans have a notable presence in London, Southampton, and across northern England.
In Australia, the surname Denihan is primarily concentrated in New South Wales and Victoria. It's particularly strong in the interior of Victoria, specifically in or near the regional cities of Bendigo, Ballarat, and Albury.
In Ireland, Denihan is especially common in the counties of Dublin, Limerick, and Cork. The surname is present in smaller towns and villages throughout the three counties.
Finally, the surname is also found in Canada, notably in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Again, the surname is most concentrated along the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway.
Overall, the surname Denihan is common in the English-speaking world, and of particular importance in the regions mentioned above.
Variations of the surname Denihan
Denihan is one of the many spelling variations of the Irish and Scottish surname Dinnihan, which is still used today. It has also been spelled in various ways over the years, including Denihane, Deniehan, Donnaghan, Dennehan, Dinnihane, Denahane, Donnegan, Donnagan, Donegan, and Dinnegan.
The surname Denihan is derived from the Gaelic o'Dionnachóin, which translates to "descendent of the sunny-faced one". It was first recorded in 1307, when a man known as Robert de Donegan was witness to a document of the Dutchess of Norfolk. Denihan is found most often in counties Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Kerry in Ireland, as well as in counties Limerick and Offaly in Ireland and in Scotland.
The spelling Denihan is especially common in parts of Ireland, where it has been used since the 15th century. In Scotland, it is found mostly in the highlands. The Denihan clan is particularly strong in the area around Argyll, but there may be origins from other parts of Scotland as well.
Common variants of Denihan include Denihane, Donnaghan, Dennehan, Denahane, and Donnegan. The spelling Dinnihane has also been used as derived from the Irish version of the name.
The spelling variations of Denihan have resulted in numerous different variants of the surname, including Denny, Dennehy, Donnely, Dinnane, and Dinneen. All of these surnames can be traced back to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Denihan
- Andrew Denihan, an Irish actor and writer.
- Jack Denihan, an American jazz vocalist and guitarist.
- Hal Denihan, an American football coach.
- Jack Denihan, Jr., an American actor and stuntman.
- Kathleen Denihan, an American director and writer.
- Joel Denihan, an American professional skater.
- Martin Denihan, an Irish author and scholar.
- Sean Denihan, an Irish businessman and politician.
- Steve Denihan, an American college basketball coach.
- Tom Denihan, an American executive and entrepreneur.
- Chris Denihan, an American musician and songwriter.
- Dermot Denihan, an Irish journalist and political advisor.
- Denis Denihan, a Canadian author and poet.
- Jerry Denihan, an American architect and sculptor.
- John Denihan, an American army officer.
- Mark Denihan, an American television and film director.
- Marie Denihan, an American singer and songwriter.
- Pat Denihan, an American screenwriter and film producer.
- Allen Denihan, an American actor and filmmaker.
- Don Denihan, an Australian businessman and philanthropist.