Meaney

Meaney is a surname of Irish origin. It is found in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, and it has several Gaelic roots that have given rise to different Anglicized spellings over time. Because Irish surnames often reflect multiple lineage traditions, Meaney can be linked to more than one Gaelic source, and related variants such as Meany or Meanie appear in historical and modern records.

In the context of notable individuals, Michael Meaney is a Canadian-born neuroscientist associated with McGill University. His research has focused on how early-life experiences influence brain development and stress responses, including work on epigenetic mechanisms that link nurture, gene expression, and behavior.

The surname Meaney, like many Irish names, exemplifies how migration and language contact can shape spelling and distribution. Today, it appears in various English-speaking countries and among communities with Irish heritage, often carried by families with long-standing genealogies rather than a single defining lineage.

See also: Meany (surname)