Like many surnames, there are various possibilities.
There is a Scottish Clan - Cheyne. Jeannette mentioned
her French surname Chanet.
My last name is KNAPP. Is it a German KNAPP or English
KNAPP. I met a KNAPP who was a Dutch VAN EPP which was
changed to KNAPP. My SHARP's are probably German or Swedish
derived from SCHERP while other SHARP's are from England.
My BARR's are Swiss Mennonite while other BARR/BEAR/BAIR are
from Ireland. My LUCAS' are from Germany (French background)
but other LUCAS' are from France or England. My RUSH's is
probably from Germany (RAUSCH, ROUSCH) while other RUSH's
are from England such as Benjamin RUSH.
The origin of Cheney/Chaney depends. It is very hard to
say definitely where any surname originates. (My HEIMSAR
is definitely from Germany.)
I know that my James Cheney/Chaney was born in Pennsylvania
moved to Mason Co./Lewis Co., KY and then to Coles Co./Douglas
Co., IL. (He has a brother Edward and their father is possibly
an Edward Cheney/Chaney.) I don't know where their Cheney/Chaney
surname originated.
Geof Knapp
My Chaneys came from France, I do believe they spelled it CHANET.
Some
of the sons (in Baltimore, Md.) used CHANEAY. Anyone have any Baltimore
Chaneys? I am stuck in 1814 with Stephen W.'s birth there & trying to
get back to France where it all began!
Regards, Jeanette in Ct.