Gaffney is a surname common to the region of Cavan in Ireland, and now spread across other English-speaking nations. Gaffney comes from the Gaelic septs of Ó Gamhna, Mac Conghamhna and Ó Caibheanaigh. Gaffney more commonly does not appear with the Gaelic prefixes of O' or Mc but there have been Gaffneys recorded with either of the Gaelic prefixes.
Origin | |
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Region of origin | Cavan, Ireland |
In Hebrew context the surname Gaffney (Hebrew: גפני, alternative English spellings: Gafni/Gafny) is used for Jewish people whose ancestors were wine makers as "Geffen" (גפן) is the Hebrew word for vitis.
Notable people with the surname include:
- Beryl Gaffney (born 1930), Canadian politician
- Christopher Gaffney (bishop) (died 1576), Irish bishop
- Chris Gaffney (musician) (1950–2008), American singer–songwriter
- Christopher Gaffney (archaeologist) (born 1962), British archaeologist
- Chris Gaffaney (born 1975), New Zealand cricketer
- David Gaffney (born 1961), British writer
- Dean Gaffney (born 1978), British actor
- Derrick Gaffney (born 1955), American football player
- Edward Gaffney (born 1943), American politician
- Elizabeth Gaffney (born 1966), American novelist
- Eric Gaffney (born 1967), American songwriter
- Eugene S. Gaffney, American paleontologist
- F. Drew Gaffney (born 1946), American doctor
- Frank Gaffney (born 1953), American lobbyist
- Frank Gaffney (Medal of Honor) (1883–1948), American soldier
- Jabar Gaffney (born 1980), American football player
- James Anthony Gaffney, British civil engineer
- James E. Gaffney (1868–1932), American baseball executive
- Jim Gaffney (1921–2015), American football player
- John Gaffney (1855–1913), American baseball umpire and manager
- Kiley Gaffney, Australian musician
- Mason Gaffney, (1923–2020), American economist
- Matt Gaffney, (born 1972), American crossword puzzle constructor
- Mo Gaffney (born 1958), American actress
- Patricia Gaffney (born 1944), American writer
- Robert J. Gaffney (born 1944), American politician
- Robbie Gaffney (born 1957), Irish football player
- Rose Gaffney (1895–1979), American environmental activist
- Tony Gaffney (born 1984), American basketball player
See also
edit- Gaffney, South Carolina, a city in the United States
- Kelly Gaffney, fictional character in Law & Order: Trial by Jury
- Roger Gaffney, fictional character in Homicide: Life on the Street
- Tom Gaffney, fictional character in Scarface (1932)