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

Oney, 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 Oney surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Oney in America

Oney is the 9232nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Oney surname appeared 3,528 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Oney.

We can also compare 2010 data for Oney 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 Oney

The surname Oney originates from the British Isles, particularly England and Ireland, and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "oneg," meaning "lone" or "solitary," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived in isolation or a reclusive location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry mentions "Oney" as a landowner in the county of Berkshire, indicating that the name had already established roots in England by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, records from the town of Oney in Buckinghamshire, England, provide evidence of individuals bearing the surname Oney. This place name is thought to have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

One notable figure in the history of the Oney surname was Sir John Oney (1520-1587), a renowned English soldier and statesman who served under Queen Elizabeth I. He played a crucial role in the suppression of the Northern Rebellion in 1569 and was later appointed Governor of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Another significant individual was Mary Oney (1637-1717), a Quaker preacher and writer from Ireland. She was known for her religious writings and her advocacy for the rights of women within the Quaker community.

In Scotland, the Oney surname can be traced back to the 16th century, with records indicating that a branch of the family settled in the Highlands. One prominent Scottish figure was Alexander Oney (1685-1754), a member of the Jacobite army who fought alongside Bonnie Prince Charlie at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The surname Oney has also been associated with various place names and locations throughout the British Isles. For example, Oney Hill in Gloucestershire, England, and Oney Island in County Donegal, Ireland, both bear the name, suggesting a historical connection with the surname.

Among other notable individuals with the Oney surname were William Oney (1780-1842), an English landscape painter renowned for his depictions of rural scenes, and Patrick Oney (1822-1901), an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of Chicago in the late 19th century.

While the surname Oney may not be as widespread today as some other British surnames, its rich history and diverse roots across England, Ireland, and Scotland serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of this intriguing name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Oney

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

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 Oney 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 Oney 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 Oney was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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