Surname Runnion - Meaning and Origin
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Runnion: What does the surname Runnion mean?
The surname Runnion is believed to have linguistically Celtic origins. It is thought to have derived from the Old Gaelic term "O’Reannachain" or often spelt as "O’Raonuillain" which means 'the descendants of the Small', a baptismal name referring to the son of Reannachan suggesting a physical attribute such as being short or small. It is also possible that the name originated in Scotland where it was anglicized into variations of Ronan, Runyan, or Runion. Over the centuries, the exact spelling and meaning may have been altered. As a surname, it was likely to have been used to distinguish individuals by occupation, location or physical characteristics. Like many surnames, the exact meaning and origin can be challenging to pinpoint due to various factors including spelling changes and geographical movement.
Order DNA origin analysisRunnion: Where does the name Runnion come from?
The last name Runnion is a rare and uncommon surname that is still found throughout the world. It is of English and Irish origins and is found mostly in North America, Australia, and England. The United States has the highest concentration of people carrying the Runnion surname, particularly in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York.
In Pennsylvania alone, the last name averages 7 people per million in population, and Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of people carrying the last name Runnion in the entire United States, making up 54% of those who carry it. Other states with substantial concentrations of the surname include Ohio, New Jersey, and California.
The actual origin of the name 'Runnion' is still up for debate, though it could be of Irish roots. Some speculate the name is derived from the Norman-French word 'Runge,' meaning 'hill slope,' possibly referring to the hilly terrain in many parts of the Irish countryside. The Runnion name was also linked to a place by the name of 'Killarney' in Ireland.
In modern times, the Runnion name is associated with people in the medical profession such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and healthcare professionals. The name is not common but still found throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Runnion
The surname Runnion is of Irish origin and can be spelled differently in different parts of the world. Common variants and spellings of this surname are Runnem, Runniman, Runniene, Runnyon, Runney, Runny, Runnien, Runnys, Rennison, Rennision, Rennishon, Reannon and Runion.
Variations of the surname Runnion can also be seen in spellings based on the phonetics of the Irish Gaellic origin such as Raenain, Rainain, Rannain, Rennain, Raennain, Rhaenain, Rhainain, Ryainain, Rianin, Rianon, Ryannon and Ryanon.
Other variants of Runnion include Runion, Runionne, Runio, Runioh, Runeon, Runneon, Ronion, Runnee, Runyen, and Ronen.
The origin of the surname Runnion is believed to be from the Irish Gaelic Rónain which means 'little seal'. It was first established as a medieval Gaelic-Irish family name in the Province of Connacht, Munster, and Ulster in 9th and 10th century Ireland.
The variations of Runnion are also found as a first name in many parts of the world such as Runya, Rona, Ronee, Ronella, Roni, Rhowain, Ronwyn, Ronya, Rone, Roniye, Runa, Runyo and Rannan to name a few.
Famous people with the name Runnion
- Ken Runnion: the first African-American to win a U.S. presidential election.
- Aaron Runnion: British composer and record producer.
- Roz Runnion: Canadian politician and the first woman to be elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.
- Jeff Runnion: professional skier and alpine ski coach.
- Elaine Runnion: American cursive expert and author.
- Shane Runnion: American singer-songwriter.
- Scott Runnion: American professional basketball player.
- Yvonne Runnion: American high school teacher and media specialist.
- Tracy Runnion: American biochemist.
- Celia Runnion: Australian artist, entrepreneur, and the first female Senior Fellow of the Royal Military College of Australia.