
Irish Surname - Gunning
Origin of the Irish surname Gunning
The Irish surname Gunning is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cuinneáin" or "Ó Cuinneáin," meaning "descendant or son of Cuinneán." The name Cuinneán itself comes from the Irish word "coinín," which means "rabbit." The Gunning surname is primarily found in the province of Connacht, particularly in County Roscommon, where the family held a significant amount of land and influence.
Interesting People with the Surname Gunning
- Carmel Gunning is an accomplished Irish musician, composer, and teacher who specialises in the tin whistle and flute. Born in County Sligo, Ireland, she has been playing traditional Irish music since she was a child. Carmel has released multiple albums showcasing her talent on the whistle and flute, and she has also composed numerous tunes. In addition to her musical career, Carmel Gunning is an experienced music teacher, having taught many students the art of playing traditional Irish instruments. She has also been involved in organising and promoting traditional music events and festivals in Ireland.
- Elizabeth Gunning was an 18th-century Irish actress and novelist. She was born in County Roscommon and moved to London.
- Maria Gunning was a prominent socialite and became the Countess of Coventry.
- John Gunning is an Irish sumo wrestler, sumo commentator, and sports journalist. Born in County Galway, Ireland, John moved to Japan in the late 1990s and began his sumo career. He joined the professional sumo ranks in 2000, competing under the name "Hoshihikari." Although he never reached the top divisions in the sport, John Gunning gained valuable experience and insight into the world of sumo.
After retiring from professional sumo, Gunning has continued his involvement in the sport as a commentator and journalist. He provides English-language commentary for NHK's sumo broadcasts and writes articles for publications such as The Japan Times. Additionally, he has been an advocate for the internationalisation of sumo, working to promote the sport outside of Japan and to increase its global popularity. - Sir George Gunning (1763–1823) was an English diplomat who served as a British envoy to various European countries during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born into the influential Gunning family, he was the son of Sir Robert Gunning, a notable British diplomat. George Gunning followed in his father's footsteps and joined the diplomatic service.
During his career, Sir George Gunning served as the British envoy to the Elector of Bavaria (1793–1798), the Elector of Hanover (1798–1804), and the Elector of Hesse-Cassel (1804–1806). In 1814, he was appointed as the British ambassador to the court of Prussia. He held this position until 1823, when he passed away. Sir George Gunning was known for his diplomatic skills, and his work contributed to maintaining and strengthening British relationships with various European powers during his time.
Variations of the Irish Surname Gunning
- Gunning - The most common variation of the surname.
- MacGunning - A less common variation, which emphasises the "son of" origin of the name.
Coat of Arms and Motto of the Irish Surname Gunning
The Gunning family coat of arms features a silver shield with a black cross, accompanied by four black crescents. The crest displays a silver demi-lion rampant, holding a black crescent in its right paw. The family motto is "Malo mori quam foedari," which translates to "I would rather die than be dishonored."
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.
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