Devaney, Devany, and O'Devaney are surnames derived from the Irish ''Ó/Mac Duibheamhna'', meaning "descendants/son of Dubheamhna". They are cited by O'Dugan as being chiefs of Kinelawley in the over-kingdom of

Ulaid (Old Irish, ) or (Irish language, Modern Irish, ) was a Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic Provinces of Ireland, over-kingdom in north-eastern Ireland during the Middle Ages made up of a confederation of dynastic groups. Alternative names include , which ...

, now known as Clanawley in present-day

County Down County Down () is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland. It covers an area of and has a population of 552,261. It borders County Antrim to the ...

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...

. ''Ó Duibheamhna'' derives from a personal name based on the Irish word ''dubh'', meaning "black", and the genitive of ''Eamhain'', the Irish name for

Navan fort Navan Fort ( ; ) is an ancient ceremonial monument near Armagh, Northern Ireland. According to tradition it was one of the great royal sites of pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland and the capital of the Ulaidh. It is a large circular hilltop enclos ...

located in

County Armagh County Armagh ( ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland. It is located in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster and adjoins the southern shore of Lough Neagh. It borders t ...

, Northern Ireland. It was the former capital of Ulaid. Another family/clan was based in the diocese of

Raphoe Raphoe ( ; ) is a small town in County Donegal in the north-west of Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. It is the main town in the fertile district of East Donegal known as the Laggan. It gave its name to the Barony of Raphoe, which was l ...

, in Donegal,

Republic of Ireland Ireland ( ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 Counties of Ireland, counties of the island of Ireland, with a population of about 5.4 million. ...

, and may be a distinct branch.''Dictionary of American Family Names'' P. Hanks, ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press (2003) Vol. 1, p 451 The surname was considered obsolete by Woulfe in 1923 and changed into some other English or Irish form. Devaney may refer to: * Aidan Devaney, Sligo Gaelic football goalkeeper *

Arthur De Vany Arthur S. De Vany (born August 29, 1937) is an American economist who has studied the Hollywood film industry and developed theories of evolutionary fitness focusing on nutrition and exercise in the paleo (caveman) manner. He is professor emeritu ...

(born 1937), American economist *

Billy Devaney William Joseph Peter Francis Devaney (born March 7, 1955) is an American football executive who was recently the general manager of the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL), a position he has held since 2023. Prior to t ...

(born 1955), American football executive *

Bob Devaney Robert Simon Devaney (April 13, 1915 – May 9, 1997) was a college football coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Wyoming from 1957 to 1961 and at the University of Nebraska from 1962 to 1972, compiling a career record of . ...

(1915–1997), American football coach * Charlotte Devaney (born 1988), British DJ * Chris Devaney, state Republican Party chairman * Earl Devaney (1947–2022), American government official * Francis Devaney (born 1984), Irish hurling champion * James Devaney (1890–1976), Australian poet *

Jim Devaney James Devaney (10 October 1907 – 16 January 1987) was an Irish hurler. His league and championship career with the Tipperary senior team lasted two seasons from 1936 until 1937. Devaney first came to prominence as a hurler with the Borris ...

(1907–1987), Irish hurler * John Devaney (ice hockey) (born 1958), Canadian ice hockey player * John Devaney (businessman) (1946–2018), British businessman * John P. Devaney (1883–1941), American judge *

June Anne Devaney June is the sixth and current month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars—the latter the most widely used calendar in the world. Its length is 30 days. June succeeds May and precedes July. This month marks the start of summe ...

, (1944–1948), English murder victim *

Liam Devaney Liam Devaney (1935 – 15 August 2017) was an Irish hurler. His league and championship career with the Tipperary senior team spanned fourteen seasons from 1954 until 1968. Born in Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary, Devaney was born into a stro ...

(1935–2017), Irish hurling champion *

Marjorie Devaney Marjorie Ann "Marge" Jones Devaney (March 3, 1931 – September 20, 2007) was an American mathematician, electrical engineer, and computer scientist who assisted in the development of the MANIAC I (Mathematical Analyzer Numerical Integrator And ...

(1931–2007), American computer programmer * Martin Devaney (born 1980), English footballer * Michael Devaney (racing driver) (born 1984), Irish racing driver * Michael Aloysius Devaney (1891–1967), American track and field athlete * Michael S. Devany, American admiral * Patricia DeVaney (born 1968), American judge *

Pauline Devaney Pauline Devaney (born 27 January 1937) is a British actress, writer, and artist, best known for her television writing in partnership with Edwin Apps. Devaney was born in Stoke-on-Trent, and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She and ...

(born 1937), British actress * Phil Devaney (born 1969), English footballer * Robert L. Devaney (born 1948), American mathematician *

Sue Devaney Sue Devaney (born Susan Barber, 2 July 1967) is an English actress. Her roles include Debbie Webster in ''Coronation Street'', Rita in ''Jonny Briggs'', Liz Harker in ''Casualty'' and Jane in '' Dinnerladies''. Career Devaney has played variou ...

(born 1967), English actress *

Theo Devaney Theo Devaney (born 25 August 1984) is an English actor best known for his portrayal of Gavin MacLeod in ''Supernatural'' (2014-2017) and Simon in ''A Christmas Prince'' (2017), '' A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding'' (2018), and '' A Christ ...

(born 1984), English actor * Thomas Devaney (born 1969), American poet * Tom Devaney (died 1976), American mobster

References

{{surname Anglicised Irish-language surnames Ulaid Surnames of Irish origin