Check out your Irish Roots and get help with your genealogy research

Irish Surname - Cunniff

Origin of the Irish Surname Cunniff and Cunniffe

The Irish surname Cunniff is derived from the Gaelic name “O’Connmhaigh” meaning “descendant of Conma”. The Cunniff family originated in the Connemara region of County Galway in Ireland. The surname has various spelling variations, including Conniff, Coniff, Conneff, Cuniffe, and O'Conniff.

According to the 1901 Irish Census, the highest number of Cunniff households were located in County Galway, particularly in the areas of Clifden and Oughterard. In the United States, the surname is most common in the states of New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts.

Famous People with the Surname Cunniff and its Variations

Tom Cunniffe: Gaelic football player from Ireland. He played for the Castlebar Mitchels club and represented the Mayo county team at the senior level. He was primarily a defender, known for his strong tackling and ability to cover the field well. Tom Cunniffe played an important role in Mayo's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship campaigns, helping the team reach several finals. However, they were unable to secure a championship win during his playing career. Cunniffe announced his retirement from inter-county football in 2016.

Variations of the Irish Surname Cunniff

Conniff: This spelling variation of the Cunniff surname is commonly found in the United States and Canada.
Conneff: The Conneff variation of the Cunniff surname is commonly found in the Connemara region of County Galway.
Cuniffe: This variation of the Cunniff surname is commonly found in the northern counties of Ireland, particularly in County Donegal.
O'Conniff: This variation of the Cunniff surname includes the Irish prefix "O", which means "descendant of".

The variations of the Cunniff surname are typically pronounced in a similar way to the original Gaelic name, with the emphasis on the first syllable.

Coat of Arms and Motto of the Irish Surname Cunniff

The Cunniff family crest features a gold lion on a green shield, with the motto “Veritas Vincit” which means “Truth conquers”. The lion represents strength and courage, while the green color symbolises hope and prosperity. The Cunniff family motto emphasises the importance of truth and honesty in all endeavors.

Please Note

There is often limited information available on a specific coat of arms and motto for an Irish surname. Sometimes there are many variations, sometimes none, we have compiled a representative, but by no means exhaustive, selection. Please visit our Coat of Arms and Motto page for more information.