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 (modern French: chêne) "oak tree" with the Old French suffix -ei / -ai meaning "collection of [trees]", so chenei "oak grove", from Medieval Latin casnetum.
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: