Rooney

Rooney is primarily a surname of Irish origin and, less commonly, a given name. It is widely found in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, especially in the United States, and has several Anglicized variants that arose through transliteration and migration.

Notable individuals with the surname include Wayne Rooney (born 1985), an English former professional footballer who played for Manchester United and captained the England national team; and Rooney Mara (born 1985), an American actress known for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Carol. The Rooney family has had a long association with American football, most prominently through Art Rooney Sr. (1901–1988), the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his descendants who have owned or led the franchise.

The Rooney Rule, adopted by the National Football League in 2003 to promote minority representation in coaching and front-office roles, is named after Dan Rooney, the longtime Steelers owner and chair of the NFL’s Diversity Task Force. The rule has influenced hiring practices in the league and generated broader discussion about diversity in professional sports leadership.

In summary, Rooney is a surname with Irish roots that has become well known in sports and entertainment due to its association with prominent figures and, in American football, a landmark organizational policy.