Toner (surname)

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Toner is an Irish surname which is thought to have a Viking origin. Today the name is used mostly in Counties Antrim, Down and Louth and is rarely found further south than Dundalk or Drogheda. Today most Toners live in Newry, Dundalk, and their surrounding areas.

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Toner could as a North Irish surname have links to French, Tonnerre a surname meaning thunder. After the conquest ofEnglish lands by William the Conqueror and the later 'Frenchification' of the court French families whose forebears had helped in this process were given positions and lands. Some went to Ireland, particularly to N.Ireland. Later the name was anglicised and cut short to Toner. hence Sean Toner could mean 'Johnny Thunder'.

Another etymological link could be to the Irish/Gaelic O'Thaoime (Clan name) Over time this has dropped the inital o' and changed to toner