McSweeney
An Irish surname meaning “son of Sweeney,” from a Gaelic personal name associated with the word for “pleasant” or “well-disposed.”
The #8,639 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 81,099 Americans shares it.
Etymology
McSweeney is an Anglicized Irish patronymic built on Mac, meaning “son of,” plus the personal name Sweeney. Sweeney comes from the Gaelic name Suibhne, a name traditionally explained as meaning “pleasant,” “well-disposed,” or “easy-going.” In literal terms, the surname means “son of Suibhne.”
History
The name is strongly associated with Ireland, especially Gaelic-speaking families in the southwest, where the Mac Suibhne kindred became established in historical records. Like many Irish surnames, it appears in several spellings, including McSweeney and MacSweeney, and it spread more widely through emigration. It is now found in Ireland, Britain, North America, and other English-speaking countries.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Sweeney is one of several Irish surnames that began as a Gaelic personal name before becoming a hereditary family name.