What is the history of the Canniff name?

Answer 1

The surname Canniff was first found in Connacht (Irish: Connachta, (land of the) descendants of Conn), where they held a family seat as chiefs of their name. Irish history was greatly influenced by the Norman invasion of 1172, and thereafter, the surnames of Irish Gaelic clans and septs and many of the Norman families became almost indistinguishable. This family name was found later in Leitrim. The spelling variations of this family name include: Conniff, Cunniff, Cunniffe, Conniffe, Coniff, MacNiff, MacAdoo, McAdoo, MacCunniffe, MacCuniff, MacEndo, MacEndoo, McNiff, McIndoo, MacIndoo and many more. You can see how Canniff families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Canniff family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Canniff families were found in the USA in 1880. In 1840, 15 Canniff families were living in New York. This was about 83% of all the recorded Canniff's in the USA. New York had the highest population of Canniff families in 1840.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Canniff surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like names of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.