CUNNING
Cunning
Origin and Meaning
Cunning is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word "cunnan" meaning 'to know'. The name is believed to have originally been used as a nickname for someone known for their cleverness or intelligence.
Historical Significance
The surname Cunning can be traced back to medieval England, with early records dating as far back as the 13th century. The Cunning family has been predominantly associated with regions in England such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Kent.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Cunning have made their mark in various fields over the centuries, contributing to the rich tapestry of British history. Whether in politics, academia, the arts, or entrepreneurship, members of the Cunning family have shown resilience, creativity, and ingenuity.
Contemporary Presence
While the Cunning surname may not be as common as some others, it continues to be borne by individuals across the United Kingdom and beyond. Many descendants of the Cunning family have emigrated to other countries, further spreading the name and its legacy.
Today, the Cunning surname is a reminder of the intelligence, resourcefulness, and wisdom of its bearers throughout history, reflecting the diversity and depth of British heritage.
There are approximately 253 people named Cunning in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Cunning.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Brian
- David
- James
- Jim
- John
- Martin
- Paul
- Raymond
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Anne
- Beverley
- Brenda
- Carol
- Catherine
- Clare
- Eithne
- Elizabeth
- Jane
- Jennifer
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Shauna
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Cunin
- Canning
- Cowning
- Cumning
- Cumnings
- Conning
- Cunnin
- Cananagh
- Caning
- Cannunock
- Canonaco
- Canonica
- Canonico
- Canonigo
- Coning
- Cuning
- Cuningham
- Cuninghame
- Cunings
- Cunington
- Cunningam
- Cunningham
- Cunninghame
- Cunninghan
- Cunnings
- Cunnington
- Cunninngham
- Cunnningham
- Cunnnington
- Cunnyngham
- Cunnynghame
- Cunyingham
- Gananca
- Ganning
- Ganong
- Gonenc
- Goning
- Gonning
- Gunenc
- Guning
- Gunning
- Kananagh
- Kananga
- Kanownik
- Kanungo
- Kaunang
- Keaning
- Keening
- Kening
- Kenning
- Keuning
- Kining
- Kinning
- Koening
- Koning
- Kuningas
- Kunning
- Kunningham
- Kunonga
- Qanungo
- Queening
- Quining
- Quinning
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.