Surname Kenney - Meaning and Origin
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read moreKenney: What does the surname Kenney mean?
The last name Kenney is a surname of Irish-Gaelic origin, from the ancient Middle Irish O'Cinneide, meaning 'descendant of Cionnaith.' The name is composed of the prefixed 'O' and Cionnaith, a given name meaning 'handsome', 'well-made', or 'warrior', suggesting leadership qualities.
The surname was borne by several notable Irish families, including a notable sept of County Clare of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, among them the Earls of Kenmare and the O’Connors of Sligo; the MacKenneys of Antrim and Down, of the Cenel Eoghain of Ulster; and the O’Kennys of Sligo and Galway, from the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne.
In addition to those of Irish descent, the Kenney surname is also borne by several families of Scottish Clan MacMillan, from where it originated as Mackenny, with the same meaning as the Irish equivalent. The family could also have been of Norman origin, as there was an Anglo-Norman Knight named William de Kenney, recorded in the 1186 Pleas before the King.
Socio-economically, the Kenney family was known to have held the position of hereditary custodians of the Kenmare estate. In the United States, the Kenney surname is still quite widespread today, indicative of the large number of Irish immigrants during the 19th century in search of opportunity.
Order DNA origin analysisKenney: Where does the name Kenney come from?
The last name Kenney is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the regions of England, Scotland, and Ireland. According to the surname analysis website Forebears, the surname Kenney ranks 139th in England, 229th in Scotland, and 795th in Ireland. It is also quite common in the United States and Canada, particularly in the northeastern states and provinces that are home to a majority Irish-origin population. The surname is most commonly found in metropolitan areas such as Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, and Toronto.
Kenney is an anglicized form of two Irish Gaelic surnames, Ó Cionnaith and Mac Cionnaith, the latter of which is sometimes spelled with an "e" at the end. Both names are derived from the word cion, meaning "gentleman" or "nobleman," and the two were likely adopted by families of similar social standing in Medieval Ireland.
In the UK, the most reported origin of the surname is Ireland, with the Kenney lineages likely traced back to the British Isles from various forms of the Ó Cionnaith or Mac Cionnaith surnames. In the United States, many Kenneys are likely descended from Irish Catholic immigrants who arrived in the 18th and 19th centuries in search of economic opportunities.
Today, Kenneys can be found in many countries around the world. Settled Kenney families can be found across continental Europe, in Australia, the Middle East, as well as North and South America. The Kenney surname is a reminder of the varied histories of the Irish people, with their lineage tracing back to Medieval Ireland.
Variations of the surname Kenney
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kenney include Kennie, Kenie, Keney, Kenni, Keni, Kinnie, Kinney, Kenna, Kenny, Keney, Kinne, Kenno, Kenneye, Kinner, Kenn, Kennye, Kann, Kinne, Kinnee, Kinna, Kennee, Kennye, Kenneye, Keney, Kinniah, Kinnye, Kennice, Kynnie, Kynney, Kynna, Kunney, Kinnear, Kinnery, Kinni, Kinner, Kynneye, Kynniee, Kynnye, Kyne, Kilney, Kilnye, Kynny, Kinney, Kynneya, Kynnee, Keeney, Keeny, Keinney, and Kinny.
The meaning of the surname Kenney is believed to originate from the Irish Gaelic language meaning “descendant of Cionnaoith,” which is a name composed of two elements; cion, which stands for “respect” or “kindness” and “aoith,” which means “desire.” This surname can have various spellings and be pronounced differently in different regions and localities. The spelling and pronunciation of this surname has changed over time based upon local accents and dialects. The various spellings of the name can also be attributed to folk etymology, immigration, and the simple fact that the original anglicized spelling may have been imprecisely recorded on official documents.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Kenney can be found the world over as the name has been carried to many other areas by settlers, immigrants, and expatriates. This surname is particularly common in Ireland and England and the spelling variants have been documented in various countries including Scotland, the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Kenney
- Sean Kenney: Artist and Lego enthusiast who specialized in large sculptures built with Lego bricks
- Mike Kenney: Professional ice hockey player
- Curt Kenney: Former professional American football defensive end
- Eileen Kenney: Social media Influencer, writer and activist
- Bob Kenney: Football coach and former NFL player
- William L. Kenney: American physicist and professor
- Myles Kenny: Voice actor who is best known for his roles in Sofia the first and Ben 10: Omniverse
- Trent Kenney: Professional cyclist
- Tommy Kenny: Comedian and actor
- Josh Kenney: Professional basketball player
- Blesilda Kenney: American actress
- Shannon Kenney: Actress and TV host
- Tyler Kenney: Drummer, producer and YouTuber
- Jimmy Kenney: Rapper, songwriter and producer
- Daniel Kenney: Former NFL player
- David Kenney: Professional ice hockey player
- Johnny Kenney: Football coach
- Pat Kenney: Professional wrestler
- Kevin Kenney: Voice actor and singer
- Nick Kenney: Professional golfer