Surname Kenneally - Meaning and Origin

Kenneally: What does the surname Kenneally mean?

The last name Kenneally is derived from the Irish surname Mac Coinnigh, which has been Anglicized over the centuries. Traditionally, the name is derived from the Gaelic phrase “ceann” which means “head” or “leader.” As a result, the Kenneally surname was most likely granted to a respected individual within the clan or tribe which adopted it.

The Kenneally surname is most commonly found in South West Ireland, particularly within the Cork and Kerry counties. This is likely due to the Royals originating from this region. It is believed that the family name relates to a noble family who transported themselves from neighbouring Wales and enriched local clans and tribes of ancient Irish nobility.

The Kenneally name is steeped in history and its family still lives on today. Countless Kenneallys have gone on to be great ambassadors for Ireland, rising to notable prominence within the world of sports, politics, and music.

The Kenneally surname is associated with success and honour, and the individuals who bear it are known for having great strength and resilience. They stand for courage, intelligence, and determination, which are all traits that have allowed them to achieve great success throughout the years. Today, the Kenneallys are a proud and noble clan who are determined to uphold the values their ancestors valued.

Kenneally: Where does the name Kenneally come from?

The last name Kenneally is a surname of Irish origin. It is most common in the Munster Province of Ireland today, where it is widespread throughout the region. In fact, it is one of the ten most common surnames in this region. It is also a very popular surname in County Cork, where it ranks as the fourth most common surname.

The last name Kenneally is also found in other parts of the world, primarily as a result of Irish emigration. The United Kingdom is home to a particularly large Kenneally population, particularly in England, Wales and Scotland. Kenneally has also been found in recent years in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This reflects the Ireland's significant diaspora in recent decades.

In terms of etymology, the surname Kenneally traces itself back to the Irish Gaelic name O’Ceallaigh, which means ‘descendants of Ceallach’. Ceallach itself has a number of possible meanings, including ‘trouble’, ‘fighter’ and ‘adorable’. As a result, there is a sense of strength and doggedness associated with the surname, which may explain its continuing presence in many parts of the world today.

Variations of the surname Kenneally

Kenneally (or Kennelly) is an Irish surname that has a number of variants and spellings. The most common spellings are Kennally, Kennelly, Kennally, Kinaly, and Kinnally. Other spellings include Kennelly, Kynally, Connally, Kenniely and Kinneely. They all are derived from an Irish Gaelic surname meaning "descendant of Ceallach".

The most common variant of the Kenneally surname is Kennelly. This variant holds a number of alternate spellings and variations as well, such as Kennally, Kinaly, Kinnally and Kennely. The various spellings of this surname date back to medieval Irish records, which often spelt the name differently due to the inconsistency of spelling conventions at the time.

It may also have an English origin from ancient Celtic words such as ceall- meaning “beauty, brightness”. An old form of this surname is Kennil, a name found in court records in Ireland in the early 1800s.

Other variants of the surname include Connally and Kinneely. Connally is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name O’ Conghalaigh, derived from the word Congall, which may mean “valley” or “pleasant part of a valley”. Kinneely is a combination of the surnames Kinney and O’Neill, and is a distinctive variant of the Kenneally last name.

Kenneally is a very old surname, with many variations and spellings that indicate its complexity ‒ a testament to the history of the Irish.

Famous people with the name Kenneally

• Tom Kenneally, best-selling Australian author and lecturer
• Dan Kenneally, a music composer and producer from Ireland
• Sean Kenneally, a former Major of League Baseball player
• Owen Kenneally, a former professional snooker player
• Dave Kenneally, a professional rock climber
• Peter Kenneally, an Australian soccer player
• Tim Kenneally, an American actor, screenwriter, and film director
• Shannon Kenneally, an American professional softball pitcher
• Paddy Kenneally, an Irish Gaelic football player
• Brian Kenneally, an American musician, songwriter, and record producer.

Other surnames

Kennealy