Mooney is a family name, which is probably predominantly derived from the Irish Ó Maonaigh. It can also be spelled Moony, Moonie, Mainey, Mauney, Meaney and Meeney depending on the dialectic pronunciation that was Anglicised.
The origin of the different Moony or Mooney families is lost in antiquity. The name is derived from maoin a Gaelic word meaning wealth or treasure of treasure, hence when O'Maonaigh was anglicised to Mooney it meant the descendant of the wealthy one.
According to Irish lore, the Mooney family comes from one of the largest and most noble Irish lines. They are said to be descendants of the ancient Irish King Heremon, who, along with his brother Herber, conquered Ireland. Heremon slew his brother shortly after their invasion, took the throne for himself, and fathered a line of kings of Ireland that include Malachi II, and King Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Baptismal records, parish records, ancient land grants, the Annals of the Four Masters, and books by O'Hart, McLysaght, and O'Brien were all used in researching the history of the Mooney family name. These varied and often ancient records indicate that distant septs of the name arose in several places throughout Ireland. The most known and most numerous sept came from the county of Offaly. The members of this sept were from Chieftain Monach, son of Ailill Mor, Lord of Ulster, who was descended from the Kings of Connacht. These family members gave their name to town lands called Ballymooney both in that county and in the neighbouring county of Leix.
Mooney Airplane Company
Mooney Brothers – gas company in Grey Bruce County, Ontario – co-owner Carman Mooney
Mooney Boats, Ltd. – Killybegs, County Donegal-based company specialising in the construction, refurbishment, and repair of commercial fishing vessels
Albert Mooney, aircraft designer and founder of Mooney Airplane Company
Alex X. Mooney, Member of Congress from West Virginia
Bel Mooney, English journalist and broadcaster
Brian Mooney, professional football player
Cameron Mooney, Australian rules footballer
Carol Ann Mooney, President of Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana
Chris Mooney (basketball) (born 1972), American basketball coach
Collin Mooney (American football) (born 1986),
Dave Mooney, professional football player
Debra Mooney, American actress
Edward Aloysius Mooney, Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Detroit, former Bishop of Rochester
Edward F. Mooney, noted Kierkegaard scholar and Professor of Religion at Syracuse University
Edward Mooney (footballer)
Grant Robert Mooney, Building engineer,designer.Pilot
Hercules Mooney, American Revolutionary War Colonel
James Mooney, anthropologist whose major works were about Native American Indians
Jason Mooney (disambiguation), multiple people
John Mooney (disambiguation), multiple people
Katherine Mooney, linguist
Kathi Mooney, American scientist
Kevin Mooney, Irish musician
Kyle Mooney, Saturday Night Live cast members
Malcolm Mooney, original lead singer of rock group |Can; inspiration for The Mooney Suzuki's name (see below)
Melvin Mooney, American physicist, developed the Mooney Viscometer and other testing equipment used in the rubber industry.
Paschal Mooney, Irish politician
Peter Mooney, Scottish educationalist and conductor (music)
Paul Mooney, son of James Mooney
Paul Mooney, American comedian, writer, and actor
Robert Mooney, Canadian politician
Sean Mooney, sports reporter and former WWF announcer
Shay Mooney, singer of country duo Dan + Shay
Shona Mooney, Scottish Fiddler
Ted Mooney, American author
Thomas Mooney, American labour leader from San Francisco, California
Tom Mooney, Australian rugby league footballer
Tommy Mooney, professional football player
Tony Mooney, Australian politician
Walter E. Mooney, pilot and model aircraft designer
Bert Mooney Airport – Montana
Cardinal Mooney High School (disambiguation)
Mooney Bay – Candle Lake (Saskatchewan)
Mooney Creek, Kansas
Mooney Falls – Grand Canyon
Mooney Falls – Big Bay, Ontario, Canada
Mooney Mooney, New South Wales, Australia
Mooney Pond – Lake Ronkonkoma, New York
Mooney's Woods – West Hartford, Connecticut
