Surname Kennellan - Meaning and Origin

Kennellan: What does the surname Kennellan mean?

The last name Kennellan is an anglicized form of the Irish surname O'Coinneallain, which originated in County Meath, Ireland. The Gaelic prefix “O'” indicates that the Kennellan family are descendants of the son of Coinneallain, which was the name of a religious devotee. This surname is derived from the Old Irish first name Conall, and the addition of the “-ain” suffix indicates that the family was of religious significance. The Kennellan family had a storied history in Ireland, with the clan being traced back to the medieval period.

The Kennellan family held an esteemed position in society as they were landed gentry with numerous lands and estates. Though the family's ownership of such large properties disappeared after the Great Famine of 1740-1741, they still occupy various farms and holdings across their ancestral homelands. The Kennellan family remains a well-known name in the region, where they are thought of fondly by the local community.

Today, the Kennellan name is widespread around the world. While many Kennellan families can be found living in various countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Great Britain, the ancestral connection to Ireland is still strong. Many Kennellans have kept the family tradition alive by visiting Ireland and exploring the ancient sites connected to the surname’s history.

By exploring their ancestral lands, the Kennellan family is able to learn more about their heritage and experience a greater connection to their past. With such a rich and storied history, the Kennellan family has much to be proud of and many stories to tell.

Kennellan: Where does the name Kennellan come from?

The last name Kennellan is most commonly found in Ireland today. It is thought to have originated from County Kerry in the southwestern part of the island. The name is thought to have derived from the Irish Gaelic surname O'Cionnaola, which translates to descendant of Cionnaola.

The Kennellan family had a number of branches as they spread throughout the country. One of the larger branches included the Kennellan of Clan Colla. Today, the surname is mainly associated with Counties Kerry, Tipperary and Limerick.

The number of people bearing the Kennellan surname decreased during the Great Famine of 1845-1852. However, the name survived and continues to be found mainly in Ireland today, in the places mentioned above. Outside of Ireland, there are smaller numbers of Kennellans in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

In latest records, the name Kennellan is estimated to be held by around 800 individuals worldwide (2000 U.S. Census data). It is the 24,906th most common surname in the world.

The Kennellan name is still alive and well in Ireland today. Despite a decrease in numbers due to migration and emmigration, the name still has strong ties to the Emerald Isle.

Variations of the surname Kennellan

Kennellan is an Irish surname, derived from the Irish Gaelic (O')Cinneallaigh, meaning “bright-headed” or “sacred head.”

Variations of the surname Kennellan include Kennallane, Keenallen, Kenelon, Kenalen, Kenlan, and (O) Cinelain.

The surname is also spelled in a variety of ways, including Kennelan, Kennalen, Kennlan, Kennilan, Kennelon, Lennelan, and Lennon.

In some parts of Scotland and Ireland, Kennellan is also known as Kinnele.

Surnames related to Kennellan include Eknalen, Eknilan, Kinlan, Kinnelan, Kinnilan, and Kinnellan.

In America, Kennellan and its variant spellings have often been changed to Kennedy and Kinnely.

The name is most common in the Province of Leinster in Ireland. It is also found in counties Mayo, Tipperary, Roscommon, and Armagh.

Those with the surname Kennellan are likely part of a long tradition of Irish people, with deep historical roots in the complex culture and rich history of the Emerald Isle.

Famous people with the name Kennellan

• Bill Kennellan: an American actor, best known for his role as Peter McCallister in the hit movie Home Alone.
• William Kennedy-Laurie: an Irish artist, most famous for his small-scale paintings and pastels of the Irish countryside.
• Liam Kennedy: an Irish poet, known for his unconventional poetry and for being a key figure in the Irish literary revival in the 20th century.
• Edith Kennellan-Weaver: an American writer, best known for her novel "Fierce December" which chronicles the story of an Irish family caught in a storm of social and political unrest during the 1920s.
• Mary Kennellan-Grant: an American photographer, best known for her work in portrait photography and her pictures of everyday life in rural areas.
• Michael Kennellan: an American musician, best known for his 1995 rock-country LP "American Dream".
• Patrick Kennellan: a British writer and publisher, best known for his satire and humorous books such as "The Grumbling Gents".
• Mark Kennellan: an American film director, best known for his work on action films such as "High Noon" and "The Last Hurrah".
• Jack Kennellan: an American actor, best known for his portrayal of "Teddy Roosevelt" in the musical "Ragtime".
• Don Kennellan: an Irish folk singer, most known for his albums "Stranger Everywhere You Go" and "Tales from the Hill".

Other surnames

KennelleyKennelly