Surname Penny - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Penny: What does the surname Penny mean?
The last name Penny is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word 'penig', which translates to 'penny'. The name is considered an occupational or status surname, often given to a person who minted money or to a wealthy person who was worth a penny. It could also be a nickname for a person who frequently used the term 'penny' as a unit of account in business transactions. The name was first used in the Middle Ages, a time when people were identified by their occupation. Therefore, someone with the last name Penny would have had a close association with currency or served an important role in financial transactions. It's also worth noting that it's common for surnames to change spelling over generations due to factors like immigration and cultural assimilation, resulting in various forms of the name such as Penney, Pinnell, Pennie among others. Surnames like Penny also have equivalents in other languages, for example, 'Dinero' in Spanish, and 'Denaro' in Italian.
Order DNA origin analysisPenny: Where does the name Penny come from?
The last name Penny is most commonly seen today in Great Britain and the United States. It is likely of Germanic origin, with the two principal branches having their roots in England and Scotland. In England, the name is first recorded as Peni in 1296 in Warwickshire. It is thought to be derived from the Old English name for ‘poor’ or ‘humble’ or ‘low’. In Scotland, the name is found in the Borders region and is derived from the ancient Pictish word ‘peni’ which translated literally as a ‘bone’.
The Penny surname has a fascinating geographic and linguistic history, and has gradually spread so that it now appears in many countries around the world. It can be seen in countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and South Africa.
The Penny surname is not particularly well-known, yet thanks to the work of numerous genealogists, it now appears in a wide range of records and documents, both private and public. As the internet continues to develop, the number of Penny family histories available is only likely to increase, allowing us to learn more about our family heritage.
Variations of the surname Penny
The surname Penny has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. One variant is Pennie, which is a diminutive and pet form of the name. Another variant of Penny is the Welsh pronunciation of the name, Peni. Spellings of Penny can include Penney, Pennye, Penni, Pennie, and Pennee.
The surname Penny also has a number of other surnames of the same origin. These include the Irish surnames Pen, Penn, Penner, Punn, and Pearn. Some other variants of the same origin that could be related to Penny include the French surname Pin, the German surname Pennig, the Italian surname Pennici, and the Spanish surname Pena.
In some instances, variations on Penny can also be found in other languages. For example, in Scandinavia, the name can be spelled Penna or Penna. Similarly, in Scotland, it can be spelled Penn or Penney.
In the United Kingdom, Penny is often found in Wales, where the spelling is more likely Pen or Penn. Similarly, in Ireland, it is often spelled Pen or Penn and is most often a variant of the Irish surname Penne.
Finally, some other surnames of the same origin include Pennay, Pennye, Peney, Puney, Penneye, Penner, Pennar, and much more.
Famous people with the name Penny
- Leslie Penny: Australian artist and illustrator
- Kim Penny: British former children's television presenter and model
- Lochie Penny: Australian professional footballer
- Chris Penny: American former professional tennis player
- Dave Penny: English former professional association football player
- LaToya Penny: Jamaican hurdler
- Harry G. Penny: British electrical engineer and industrialist
- Matthew Penny: Canadian actor
- Heath Penny: Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach
- Alex Penny: English professional golfer