Cooney Coat of Arms, Family Crest and Cooney Family History

Cooney Family History

The family history of the ancient name Cooney was found in the irishsurnames.com archives. The name Cooney is from the Gaelic O'Cuana Sept that was formerly of considerable importance. This Gaelic name is taken from the word 'cuan' meaning 'elegant'. Originating from County Tyrone in Ulster, they migrated Westwards to North Connacht at an early date. Three centuries later they were still in that area as evidenced by the Elizabethan Fiants. They gradually spread Southwards, for in the census of 1659 they were numerous in County Clare. The town of Ballycooney still exists to this very day and indicates their exact homeland. A most noteworthy person of the name was Mary Cooney, an Irish poet who had a high reputation in America as well as in Ireland in the 1880's.The Cooney family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including Cooney descendants.