Sweeny

Sweeny is a surname of Irish origin, an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Suibhne, and a variant spelling of the more common Sweeney. The name historically indicates descent from a person named Suibhne, a given name appearing in early Irish sources. Over time, bearers of the surname migrated to North America and other regions, where the spelling Sweeny has been preserved alongside Sweeney and related variants.

Etymologically, Sweeny derives from Ó Suibhne, a patrimony name in medieval Ireland. The personal name Suibhne is preserved in several medieval Irish texts, and the surname Sweeny arose as a way to identify descendants of such an individual. The spelling variations reflect differences in anglicization, local pronunciation, and record-keeping practices across centuries.

Geographically, Sweeny is also the name of a city in Brazoria County, Texas, United States. Sweeny, Texas, is a small community known within the region for its local history and connection to the broader Texan coastal plain. The surname is found in many countries with historical Irish immigration, where individuals and families may have adopted or adapted the spelling to fit local linguistic norms.

Notable bearers of the surname Sweeny span various fields, including sports, academia, and the arts, reflecting the broad diaspora of Irish-descended families. As with many Gaelic-derived surnames, Sweeny has multiple closely related spellings, with Sweeney being the most common variant.

See also Sweeney (surname) for information on the related name and its variants.