Surname Guinee - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Guinee: What does the surname Guinee mean?
The last name Guinee is of French origin, although the exact meaning is currently unknown. It is believed to have arisen in the south of France, potentially in the Languedoc region, and dates back to at least the 15th century.
One possibility is that the surname may originate from the Latin “guinnetis”, meaning little birds, which could refer to either the local people themselves or migratory birds coming to the area. Other theorised meanings include “white-haired” and “stray”, although there is no definitive answer to the etymology.
During the 16th century, Guinee families moved to Canada and the United States, although the surname is present in various parts of Europe, including France, Ireland, Scotland and England. It has seen some modification in spelling over the centuries, with examples such as Guiney, Guinney, Gwinney and Gwinn.
Today, the last name is most commonly spelled Guinee and can be found across different continents in many countries. Despite the lack of an exact definition, Guinee is an established surname throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisGuinee: Where does the name Guinee come from?
The last name Guinee is most common today in the West African countries of Guinea, Mali, and Senegal. The French-speaking population of these countries may have adopted the surname to reflect their shared cultural heritage and language. In Guinea, the Guinee surname is generally believed to have been derived from the Berber word for “white", a reference to Europeans who arrived in the area during the colonial period. In both Mali and Senegal, the surname is also believed to come from an ancestor who lived on the Guinea Coast. The surname may have also been adopted by freed slaves who adopted the name in an effort to better identify themselves in a predominately African context.
The last name Guinee is also common in French-speaking areas of the United States, particularly in Louisiana and parts of the Deep South. The Guinee surname first appeared in the United States with enslaved Africans as early as 1684. The Guinee family name has since been adopted by descendants of freed slaves in later generations, with the first formally recorded in 1811.
Despite its presence in a few French-speaking countries and in parts of the United States, the last name Guinee remains relatively uncommon on a global scale. This may be due in part to the relatively small presence of French language and culture in many parts of the world. Nonetheless, those who do bear the name are likely to be descended from a long line of proud French-speaking Africans.
Variations of the surname Guinee
The surname Guinee, sometimes spelled Guiney, Gwinee, or Gwiney, originates from France, Ireland, and England. Originally, it denoted an inhabitant of Guinea, an area of western Africa. The word 'Guinee' derives from the Portuguese term 'guiné' which comes from the term 'Guiné'.
Variants of the surname Guinee include Gwinne, Guinne, Gwinne, Gwyne, Gwynne, Gwynee, Gwinney, Gwyney, Gwynney, Gwyeney, and Gueny. All of these variations have the same root 'Guinee.'
In England, the related surname Gwinnett derives from a combination of the pre-Christian Welsh family name 'Gwynn' and the Old French 'ette', meaning 'little'.
In Ireland, the related surname Quinney, or Quinny, is thought to have originated from a different root, 'Quincy', rather than 'Guinee.' It is derived from the old Irish surname 'Mac Cuinnedi' which is made up of two words; 'Mac', meaning 'son of', and 'Cuinnedi'- an ancient British name.
The name is also found in the United States with variations such as Gwinett, Guinett, Gwinnett and Gwynd.
In France, the surname Guinee is sometimes spelled 'Goyon' or 'Guignon'.
The surname Guinee is also occasionally found as a variation of the Irish surname Quine and the Dutch surname 'Kwein'.
In conclusion, the surname Guinee and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin encompass many variations with a long history. The French, Irish, English, Dutch, and the United States location of the variations signify a wide reach of the name.
Famous people with the name Guinee
- Sean Guinness: Sean is an Irish musician and composer, known for creating musical scores for films such as Space Jam and Iron Man.
- Paul Guinée: Paul is a French actor, known for his roles in films such as Children of the Marshland and Don't Tell Me the Boy Was Mad.
- Roger Guinée: Roger is a French writer, editor, and translator, best known for his Nobel Prize-winning novel Le Grand Meaulnes.
- Hervé Guinée: Hervé is a French actor, known for his work in television shows such as Plus Belle La Vie and Falco.
- Steve Guinée: Steve is a French professional basketball player, currently playing for Panathinaikos of the Greek Basketball League.
- Yannick Guinée: Yannick is a French pop singer and songwriter, best known for her singles "Chodokato" and "Himitu".
- Rebecca Guinée: Rebecca is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her singles "All of Me" and "I'm Yours".
- Jean-Luc Guinée: Jean-Luc is a French politician, currently serving as the Minister of Justice of France.
- Maurice Guinée: Maurice is a French architect, best known for his award-winning designs of religious buildings.
- Nicole Guinée: Nicole is a French interior designer, known for her furniture designs for notable clients such as the French Royal Family.