Neary
An Irish surname most often linked to a Gaelic byname meaning “happy” or “fortunate.”
The #6,926 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 63,738 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The main Irish explanation connects Neary with the Gaelic surname O' Ndradhaigh (often normalized in modern spelling as O'Ndradhaigh), which Harrison glosses from elements meaning “good,” “happy,” “prosperous,” or “lucky.” In that tradition, the surname is a descendant of a personal or descriptive byname rather than a place-name or occupation. Some English reference works also treat Neary alongside forms like Neate/Neat, but the Irish derivation is the stronger and more specific explanation in the sources here.
History
The name is recorded in Irish surname material under spellings such as Neary, Nary, and Nery, and it appears in Irish surname lists used by 19th- and early-20th-century scholars. In the United States it is a relatively uncommon surname, and many bearers are likely descended from Irish emigrant families. The English-looking form may have encouraged occasional confusion with unrelated surnames such as Neat or Neate.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Harrison’s old etymology treats the name as carrying a very positive sense—something like “lucky” or “prosperous.”
From the historical record
“(Scand.) Dvi^eller at a Peak [O.N. gnlpa] NEARY (Celt.) the Irish Ndradhach (nepotic form O' Ndradhaigh—dh mute) [cp. Ir. ndr, good, happy -|- adkach, -prosperous, lucky] NEASMITH, a form of Nasmith, q.v. NEAT I (Eng.) i Companion, Vassal, Ten- N EATE J ANT [O.E. ge)nedt] 2 a nickname from the animal [O.E.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)