CHESNEY
Chesney
Chesney is a British surname of Norman origin, derived from the Old French personal name "Chenne" which means "oak tree." The name first appeared in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Over time, it has evolved into various spellings, including Chesney, Cheeseman, and Cheney.
One prominent bearer of the surname was Charles Chesney (1787–1872), a senior officer in the British Army and military writer. He is remembered for his influential book "The Battle of Dorking" (1871), which predicted a fictional invasion of Britain and sparked a wave of interest in military preparedness.
The Chesney surname has spread throughout the United Kingdom and beyond, with notable individuals bearing the name in various fields, from literature to politics. It remains a part of the rich tapestry of British surnames, reflecting the country's diverse heritage and history.
References:
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (2008). A dictionary of English surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Burke, J. (1833). A general and heraldic dictionary of the peerage and baronetage of the British Empire. Hurst and Blackett.
There are approximately 1,071 people named Chesney in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,002nd most common surname in Britain. Around 16 in a million people in Britain are named Chesney.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Anne
- Carol
- Claire
- Eileen
- Elizabeth
- Joanne
- Julia
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Natalie
- Oonagh
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.