Surname Kennefick - Meaning and Origin

Kennefick: What does the surname Kennefick mean?

The surname Kennefick has Irish origins, primarily hailing from the county of Cork. The name is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Cinnéide Fhic", which can be translated into English as "descendant of Cinnéide's son". The element 'Cinnéide' is itself a personal name composed of the Old Gaelic elements “cinn,” meaning "head", and "éidigh", meaning "ugly" or "wizened". Therefore, the full meaning of Kennefick can be interpreted as “the descendant of the ugly or wizened-headed one’s son.” While the surname may seem to carry a negative connotation based on its literal translation, it was likely an affectionate or humorous nickname given to the original bearer of the name, as was customary with Gaelic surnames. Gaelic names typically pay tribute to the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person who used the name.

It is also worth stating that, like many surnames, the name may have altered slightly over time, especially through the process of anglicization. Therefore, the modern day surname's connect to the original Gaelic phrases may be a bit tenuous.

Kennefick: Where does the name Kennefick come from?

The surname Kennefick is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic “Ó Cionnaoith,” which translates to "descendant of Cionnaith." The personal name Cionnaith is a diminutive of the word "cion," denoting affection, with the suffix "-aith" translating to small. Therefore, the surname often means "beloved" or "fond one.”

The location associated with the name is mainly in the southern part of Ireland, particularly in the County Cork region. The Kennefick surname may have originated from this area, as it is where the name is most frequently found in parish records dating back to the 19th century.

Today, the surname Kennefick is still found predominantly in Ireland, particularly in its place of origin, County Cork. However, due to historical emigration trends, the surname can also be found in various parts of the world where Irish diaspora settled, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, though in these places it is less common than in Ireland.

Variations of the surname Kennefick

The surname Kennefick, primarily found in Ireland, has several variants in spelling depending upon the area and time period. Its derivation is said to be from the Gaelic surname "O'Ceanndubhaic", composed of the elements "ceann", meaning head, "dubh", black, and the diminutive suffix "-aic", little.

In medieval documents, the name appears in a variety of forms such as O'Keanefick, O'Kennefick, Kennefeck, Kenefick, and Kenefic. Moreover, Keniffick, Kennifick, Kennific, and Kennefic have also been encountered.

Modern-day bearers of the name in Ireland spell it as Kenefick or Kennefick, with the former being more common in County Cork, also suggesting its origin from this region. The introduction of English rule in Ireland often led to anglicization, further leading to variant spellings of Irish surnames.

Some English versions of the surname could include Kendal, Kendall, or Kenrick. However, these versions derive from different root names and are not strictly related to Kennefick.

Due to lack of standardization in early records and different phonetic interpretations, a multitude of spelling variations can exist for one surname, making genealogical research quite challenging.

Famous people with the name Kennefick

• Rob Kennefick: Former professional ice hockey player who was a long time member of the New Jersey Devils.
• Eddie Kennefick: Former minor league baseball player who most notably played for the Montreal Expos.
• Lindsey Kennefick: Professional model who has done campaigns for Michael Kors and Calvin Klein.
• Jasper Kennefick: Irish Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
• Mark Kennefick: Fictional character in the 2014 horror-thriller movie Undone.
• Tony Kennefick: Retired American professional soccer defender who played in Major League Soccer.
• Katie Kinnefick: A 2014 Olympic figure skater who competed for the United States.
• Michael Kennefick: A financial advisor and entrepreneur who was a winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
• Padraic Kennefick: Irish actor known for his work on The Secret of Kells and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
• Amanda Kennefick: Former professional tennis player and two-time All-American, who was a NCAA singles finalist in 2003.

Other surnames

Kennefic