A Scottish surname of Cunningham was a Celtic term of ‘cunegan’. In Scotland in the Ayrshire region the family name of Cunningham became popular in the 11th century. The surname began as a Scottish tribal name of ‘dalriahans’.

Spelling variations of Cunningham include Cunnighame, Cummingham, Cunnynghame, Cunnyngham and Cunynham.

In England the Cunningham name is mostly in Lancashire, Yorkshire counties and in London. In Scotland Cunningham families are in the southern region and centered in Lanarkshire, Midlothian, Fife, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire counties.

Many Cunningham families resettled in Canada, America, New Zealand and Australia.

Cunningham families in the United States are primarily in Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Famous: Bill Cunningham (professional basketball player and coach), David L. Cunningham (film director and producer), Jeff Cunningham (professional football player), John W. Cunningham (author), Phil Cunningham (musician from England), Walter Cunningham (U. S. astronaut), Robert Cunningham (19th century founder of Port Essington, British Columbia in Canada) and Kenny Cunningham (footballer from Ireland).