cunningham

Cunningham is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the historic region of Cunningham (often spelled Cunninghame) in southwest Scotland. The place name is believed to come from an early Gaelic or Brythonic element describing the land or a river valley, though the precise etymology is uncertain. The surname spread with Scottish and English migration and is now common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

As a placename, Cunningham appears in various countries, with towns or districts named after early settlers or geographic features. The historic county of Cunninghame formed part of Ayrshire in Scotland before later administrative reorganization.

Notable people with the surname include Allan Cunningham, a Scottish botanist and explorer who contributed to early Australian botany, and Phil Cunningham, a Scottish folk musician known for his accordion playing and collaborations with Aly Bain. The name is borne by many other individuals across fields such as politics, sports, science, and the arts.

See also: Cunninghame, the historic Scottish county; Cunningham (disambiguation) for places and uses of the name.