Find out how popular the first name Shaughnessy has been for the last 25 years (from 1985 to 2009) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shaughnessy by gender

Based on the last 25 years of data, Shaughnessy is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 95% of people named Shaughnessy being female.

For the most recent data in 2009, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Shaughnessy.

The history of the first name Shaughnessy

The name Shaughnessy has its origins in the Irish language and culture, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic words "sean" meaning old and "gios" meaning hostage or pledge. The name was originally spelled as "Ó Seaghnosha" or "Ó Sionachaidh," indicating that it was a patronymic surname, meaning "descendant of Seaghnosha" or "descendant of Sionachadh."

The earliest known historical reference to the name Shaughnessy can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. It mentions a prominent family bearing this name in County Galway, Ireland, in the 14th century. The Shaughnessy clan was part of the Gaelic nobility and held significant power and influence in the region.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Shaughnessy was Rory Shaughnessy, a Irish chieftain who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his leadership and involvement in the Gaelic resistance against English colonization efforts in Ireland during the Tudor conquest.

Another notable figure was Dermot Shaughnessy (1609–1680), an Irish Catholic priest and philosopher. He was a prominent scholar at the University of Paris and wrote several works on metaphysics and theology during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, John Shaughnessy (1725–1799) was a distinguished Irish poet and playwright. His works celebrated Irish culture and language, and he was widely acclaimed for his contributions to the literary tradition of the time.

During the 19th century, Patrick Shaughnessy (1820–1892) was a prominent Irish-American businessman and philanthropist. He made his fortune in the shipping industry and was known for his charitable contributions to Catholic organizations and educational institutions in the United States.

Another notable figure was Mary Shaughnessy (1865–1934), an Irish-American labor activist and social reformer. She was a prominent figure in the women's suffrage movement and fought for improved working conditions and rights for women and children.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the name Shaughnessy, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and historical significance within the Irish tradition.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Shaughnessy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shaughnessy, please contact us.

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