Surname Kennealy - Meaning and Origin

Kennealy: What does the surname Kennealy mean?

The surname Kennealy is of Irish origin and derived from the Gaelic name "O Cionnfhaolaidh" which translates to "descendant of Cionnfhaolaidh". The prefix "O" signifies "descendant of" or "grandson of", and "Cionnfhaolaidh" is an Old Irish personal name. The component "Cionn" translates to "head" and "faol" translates to "wolf". Thus, the literal meaning is "head of the wolf" signifying an ancestor who was a leader or warrior. As with many Irish surnames, variations in spelling can occur due to the translation from Gaelic to English, including Kenneally and Kenealy. The bearers of the Kennealy surname are believed to have been a part of the ancient Irish Dalcassian tribe, associated with the South-Western part of Ireland, particularly County Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary. It should be noted that the meaning of surnames can have different interpretations and this is just one of those possible interpretations.

Kennealy: Where does the name Kennealy come from?

The surname Kennealy is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O'Cinnfhaoladh," which means "head of a wolf." The use of this surname began around the 10th century and it is associated with the region of County Cork in Ireland. Over centuries, the name has evolved into various forms including Kenneally, Kennelly, and Kennally, among others, due to anglicization.

Today, the name Kennealy is common in regions with a significant Irish diaspora. It is particularly common in Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. While the most substantial concentration of individuals with this last name remains in Ireland, the global dissemination of the Kennealy surname is a testament to the Irish diaspora's reach following mass emigration during the Great Famine of the mid-19th century.

Variations of the surname Kennealy

The surname Kennealy is of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "O Cionnfhaolaidh" which translates to "descendant of Cionnfhaolaidh." Cionnfhaolaidh itself means "head of wolf.”

There are numerous variants and similar surnames due to the translation from Gaelic to English and various phonetic spellings. Some of these variants/spellings include:

Kenneally, Kennelly, Kenelly, Kenealy, Keneally, Kennealy, Kennally, Kennaly, O'Kennealy, O'Kenneally, O'Kennelly, Cinealy, Cennelly, and Cinneally.

Other surnames that have the same Gaelic origin (O Cionnfhaolaidh) include:

Kenneley, Kinnealy, Kinnelly, Kinaly, Kinnaly, Cinnaly, Keniley, Kinealy.

It is important to note that a significant number of Irish surnames underwent various changes in spelling, not only as they were translated from Gaelic to English but also during the time of Irish emigration to other countries, especially America, Canada, and Australia. Often the spelling of the surname would be altered, intentionally or accidentally, to sound more Anglo. Thus Kennealy and its variants have many possible forms and might appear under a slightly different spelling in different records.

Famous people with the name Kennealy

• Pat Kennealy-Morrison: an American rock singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist in the band Strange Jake
• Sean Kennealy: an Irish-American musician and composer
• B. L. Kennealy: a prominent tax specialist and consultant from the United States
• James P. Kennealy: an American academic and administrator
• Robert Kennealy: a former American basketball player
• William Kennealy: an American former professional boxer
• Stephen J. Kennealy: an American aerospace engineer
• Christopher T. Kennealy: a former American politician and lawyer
• Joseph Kennealy: a former volunteer in the Union Army during the American Civil War
• Patricia Kennealy: an American rock musician and author

Other surnames

Kenneally