Penney (also spelled Penny) is a common surname of British origin.

It was derived from the Old English "Penig," denoting a coin (cognate with German "Pfennig").

The penny was the only unit of coinage in England until the early 14th century; as such, it was a coin of considerable value.

The name was first found in Northampton where they held a family seat from very early times; before the 12th century had become associated with London; later moved north into Scotland and west into Ireland settling mostly in the provinces of Ulster and Munster.

In Newfoundland, Benedict Penny inherited property in Carbonear which dated back to 1699.