Find out how popular the last name Dooney is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Dooney.

Dooney, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Dooney surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dooney in America

Dooney is the 72568th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dooney surname appeared 268 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Dooney.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dooney to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Dooney

The surname Dooney is of Irish origin, with its roots tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated in County Galway, a region in the west of Ireland. The name Dooney is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "dún," which means "fort" or "fortified place," suggesting that the name may have been associated with a particular fortified location or settlement.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname Dooney can be found in the "Annals of the Four Masters," a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled by a group of Franciscan monks in the 17th century. The annals mention a prominent figure named Dooney O'Malley, who was a chieftain and leader of the Ó Máille clan in County Mayo during the late 16th century.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Dooney appeared in various historical records, including parish registers and land surveys. One notable individual from this period was John Dooney (1663-1735), an Irish Catholic priest and historian who wrote extensively about the history and culture of his native County Galway.

As the Irish diaspora spread throughout the world, the surname Dooney traveled with it. In the 19th century, several individuals bearing the name Dooney made significant contributions in various fields. One such figure was Michael Dooney (1810-1888), an Irish-born engineer who played a crucial role in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad in the United States.

Another prominent individual with the surname Dooney was John Dooney (1881-1946), an American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the Dooney & Bourke leather goods company in 1975. The company, known for its high-quality handbags and accessories, has become a celebrated brand in the fashion industry.

Throughout history, the surname Dooney has also been associated with various place names and locations. For instance, the townland of Doonee in County Galway, Ireland, is believed to be derived from the same Gaelic root as the surname. Additionally, there are several areas in the United States, such as Dooney Park in Tennessee and Dooney Creek in Arizona, that bear the name, likely named after early settlers with the Dooney surname.

Overall, the surname Dooney has a rich history rooted in Irish culture and tradition, with its origins dating back to the 16th century. Over the centuries, individuals bearing this surname have made significant contributions across various fields, leaving an indelible mark on the history and heritage of the name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dooney

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Dooney.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Dooney was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Dooney has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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