Jennings is a Hiberno-Norman name that became thoroughly Gaelicised among the families of Connacht.
Where does the Jennings name come from?
Jennings began as a patronymic from the personal name John — in effect “son of little John” — but in Ireland it took on a distinctive Gaelic form. It is the anglicisation of Mac Sheoinín, “son of little John,” a branch of the great Norman family of Burke who adopted the Gaelic style after settling in the west.
The Jennings of Connacht
As a sept of the Burkes, the Mac Sheoinín were established in County Mayo and the wider province of Connacht, where they became part of the Gaelic order. The name shows how completely many Norman families became “more Irish than the Irish themselves.” As a settled Connacht name, Jennings is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Did you know?
- Jennings began as a patronymic meaning “son of little John.”
- In Ireland it anglicises the Gaelic Mac Sheoinín.
- The family was a branch of the Norman Burkes.
- They settled in County Mayo and Connacht.
- The name survives today in Ireland and across the diaspora.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Jones, Johnson, and Barry.
Carry the Jennings name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Jennings collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jennings an Irish surname?
Yes — in Ireland Jennings is a Hiberno-Norman name, the anglicisation of Mac Sheoinín, a branch of the Burkes of Connacht.
What does Jennings mean?
It means “son of little John,” from the personal name John.
Is there a Jennings family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Jennings products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
