Agnew (surname)

Agnew is a surname of Norman, Scottish, English, and Irish origin. There are three etymologies: 1) deriving from the place name Agneaux in Normandy, 2) deriving from the Anglo-Norman word aignel or aignau ("lamb"), 3) or, in the case of Irish, deriving from Ó Gnímh ("descendant of Gníomh").

As of 1881, there were 1651 bearers of the surname in Great Britain, most of whom were located in southwest Scotland and northwest England. In the period 1847–1864, most bearers of the surname in Ireland were located in Ulster, particularly in County Antrim.

Notable people with the surname include:
 * Alex Agnew (born 1973), Belgian stand-up comedian
 * Alfie Agnew, American mathematician, singer, musician and songwriter
 * Billy Agnew (1898–?), Scottish football player
 * Chloë Agnew (born 1989), Irish singer
 * Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw (born 1944), 11th baronet, QC
 * David Agnew, BBC television drama pen name
 * David Agnew (footballer) (1925–1966), Northern Irish footballer
 * David Agnew (Maryland politician) (1822–1888), American politician from Maryland
 * David Hayes Agnew (1818–1892), American surgeon
 * Frank Agnew (born 1964), American punk rock musician
 * Fraser Agnew, Northern Irish politician
 * Gary Agnew (born 1960), Canadian hockey coach
 * Sir Geoffrey Agnew (1908–1986), British art dealer
 * George Agnew (Australian politician), Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly 1883–1896.
 * George B. Agnew (1868–1941), New York politician
 * Harold Agnew (1921–2013) American physicist
 * Jamal Agnew (born 1995), American football player
 * James Agnew (1815–1901), Australian politician
 * James Agnew (British Army officer) (died 1777), killed in the American Revolution
 * Jaylyn Agnew (born 1997), American basketball player
 * Jeff Agnew (born 1965), American stock car racing driver
 * Jim Agnew (born 1966), American hockey player
 * John Agnew (Prince Edward Island politician) (1854–?)
 * John A. Agnew (born 1949), British-American political geographer
 * John Hume Agnew (1863–1908), Canadian politician
 * Jonathan Agnew (born 1960), English cricket broadcaster and former professional cricketer
 * Judy Agnew, (1921–2012), Second Lady of the United States
 * Lee Agnew (born 1971), Scottish drummer and percussionist
 * Liam Agnew (born 1995), English footballer
 * Lindsay Agnew (born 1995), Canadian soccer player
 * Paddy Agnew (Irish republican) (born 1955)
 * Paddy Agnew (Stormont MP) (1878 – fl. 1958), early 20th-century Irish politician
 * Paul Agnew (born 1964), Scottish operatic tenor
 * Pete Agnew (born 1947), bassist for the rock band Nazareth
 * Peter Garnett Agnew (1900–1990), British Royal Naval officer and politician
 * Ralph Palmer Agnew, American mathematician
 * Ray Agnew (born 1967), American football player
 * Ray Agnew III (born 1991), American football player
 * Rikk Agnew (born 1958), American guitarist
 * Robert Agnew (1899–1983), American movie actor
 * Roy Agnew (1891–1944), Australian composer and pianist
 * Sam Agnew (1887–1951), American professional baseball player
 * Scott Agnew (born 1987), Scottish footballer
 * Spiro Agnew (1918–1996), 39th vice president of the United States
 * Steve Agnew (born 1965), British soccer player and coach
 * Steven Agnew (born 1979), Green Party politician in Northern Ireland
 * Stuart Agnew (born 1949), UKIP MEP for the East of England
 * Todd Agnew (born 1971), Christian musician and songwriter
 * Troy Agnew (1890–?), American baseball player and manager
 * Vince Agnew (born 1987), American football player
 * William Agnew (footballer) (1879–1936), Scottish football player
 * Sir William Agnew, British Navy officer