Surname Kennagh - Meaning and Origin
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Kennagh: What does the surname Kennagh mean?
The last name Kennagh is an Anglicized version of the Irish surname O'Cinneagáin, which is derived from the Gaelic word cineág, meaning "belonging to a family". It is believed that the Kennagh surname was first found in the Leinster Province, situated in the eastern part of Ireland. The Kennagh's were among the many Celtic families that migrated northward during and after the 16th century Irish Rebellion.
The Kennaghs were a family of musicians - proficient in harp, fiddle, and pipes. The Kennagh Coat of Arms, or family crest, features a large bird atop a green tree, succumbing to the Kirk of Ulster, an emblem of the Protestant faith.
The Kennagh family is one of the oldest Irish clans, having descended from descendants of a King of Scotland whose name was Kenneth, who gave the name to the original clan. The Kennagh family is also one of the most beloved and respected families in Ireland, having made significant contributions during times of war and peace.
While there are no definitive records of the Kennaghs’ exact origin, they and their descendants have established a rich and vibrant legacy in the areas of music, art, education, religion, and politics, among other disciplines. The Kennagh family is a popular and highly respected name in Ireland and abroad, though its members are widely scattered across the globe. Today, members of this family continue to honor the Kennagh legacy and uphold its proud heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKennagh: Where does the name Kennagh come from?
The last name "Kennagh" is most commonly found today in Ireland, although there are occurrences of the surname in other countries with Irish ancestry. In Ireland, Kennagh is a variant spelling of the more common surname "Kennedy".
In Ireland, the last name is mainly found in the western coast regions of counties Mayo, Clare, Galway and Cork. Outside of Ireland, the surname is found in many countries where Irish families have migrated, such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, as well as many other regions of the world.
The name Kennagh appears to derive from the Gaelic Ó Cinndigh, which means "descendant of Cian". Cian was an ancient Irish personal name meaning "ancient", "enduring" or "warrior".
The Kennaghs have an interesting genealogical history. The name occurs in a wide range of spellings, including Connaugh, Cunnah, Kennah, Kenny, Kinnah, Kinneh, and Kynneh. It is evident that the Kennagh name has risen from diverse roots, albeit all derived from the same Irish roots.
In Ireland, the Kennaghs were an old Irish family found originally in County Galway. A branch of the family were also found in County Clare and from there, their name spread to other regions. Today, the Kennaghs are still found within Ireland, although their numbers have decreased from their early prominence. They have also spread across the world over the course of Irish migration.
Variations of the surname Kennagh
The surname Kennagh has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is Kennaghty, which is an Irish version of the surname. This variant is sometimes spelled as Kinaghty, Kennoghety, or Kennagthy.
The surname can also be found spelled as Kenaugh, Kinaugh, Keneha, or Kinagh. These are other Irish variants of the same surname.
In England, the name can be found spelled as Kenrick or Kynrick. The surname Kynrick is derived from the Middle English words ‘cyning’ and ‘ric’, which together mean ‘king’s rule’. This surname originated in the 13th century in England, and is also connected to the original Kennagh surname.
Another common variant of the surname is Kenney. This variant originated in Ireland and is derived from an Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic O’Cionnaith surname.
Lastly, the surname can also be found spelled as Kenealy, Kennealy, Kinnealy, or Kennealey. All of these variants originated in Ireland and are derived from the Irish Gaelic Mac Cionnaith surname, which means ‘son of Kenneth’.
Overall, the surname Kennagh has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The names Kennaghty, Kenaugh, Kenrick, Kenney, Kenealy, and others are all variants of the same surname. All of these variants originated in Ireland and England and share a common history and connection to Kenneth.
Famous people with the name Kennagh
- Conor Kennagh: Actor
- Jack Kennagh: Actor
- Ken Kennagh: Retired American Football Player
- John Kennagh: Actor
- Cormac Kennagh: Musician
- John Kennagh: Retired Rugby Union Player
- Laura Kennagh: Singer-Songwriter
- Anthony Kennagh: Retired Irish Footballer
- Joe Kennagh: Olympic Skater
- Sean Kennagh: Actor