Cheney (surname)


Cheney, originally de Cheney, is a toponymic surname of Old French origin, introduced into England by the Normans.
The derivation is from the Old French chesne "oak tree" with the Old French suffix -ei / -ai meaning "collection of ", so chenei "oak grove", from Medieval Latin. The surname may be either locational or topographical in origin. As a locational name, Cheney may derive from any of the places named with the Old French, nowadays Chesney, Chesnay, le Chesnay, la Chesnaye, etc. As a topographical name, Cheney denoted residence near a conspicuous oak tree, or in an oak forest. The surname is now found widespread in Scotland, where the first known bearer of the name is William de Chesne, who witnessed a charter in 1200. The development of the name includes the following examples and may refer to: