Penney

Penney is a surname of English and Irish origin, often considered a variant of Penny. The name is borne by numerous individuals and has become closely associated with the American retail brand in the United States.

The most prominent use of the name is the J. C. Penney Company, an American department store chain founded by James Cash Penney in 1902. The first store opened in Kemmerer, Wyoming, and the chain expanded to operate hundreds of stores nationwide, becoming a major mid-market retailer in the 20th century. In 2020 the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was acquired by lenders led by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management; after restructuring, it continued operating under the JCPenney brand with a smaller footprint.

James Cash Penney (1875–1971) was an American entrepreneur who established the company and built it into a recognizable retail brand. The Penney name has appeared in various other contexts, including business history and contemporary branding, but the store remains the name’s most enduring association.