Surname Kennick - Meaning and Origin
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Kennick: What does the surname Kennick mean?
The last name Kennick is of English and Irish origin. It is believed to derive from the personal name Kennet, which is derived from the Norman name Cenwald. It is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "cenum" meaning "bold" or "warlike" and "wald" meaning "lord", thus the overall meaning being "bold or warlike lord".
The Kennick family originated in the Midlands of England and Ireland. Records of the name date back to 1235 with an Edmund de Kenychet in the rolls of Cheshire. In the 16th century the main branch of the family moved to the county of Devon in the southwest of England. The descendants of this line still inhabit Devon today.
The Kennick spelling of the name became popular with Irish immigrants who settled in the United States in the mid 19th century, and the name can also be found in Canada among families with Irish origins.
In Ireland, The Kennick surname is associated with the Mc Kennitt clan in Galway but is rarely found elsewhere in the country today.
The name Kennick is still common throughout England and the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and California. The name is primarily carried by families of English, Irish, and Spanish descent.
Order DNA origin analysisKennick: Where does the name Kennick come from?
The surname Kennick has origins in multiple countries. It is of Irish origin, although it is also quite common in England and the United States. In the United States, the surname Kennick can be found in numerous states, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, but with some presence in the South as well. Specifically, it is most common in states such as Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio. However, it is not limited to these states in the US by any means.
In England and Ireland, the surname Kennick appears to be more concentrated around Devon, Cornwall, and Belfast, and is more widespread in these countries overall. With regards to the Irish version of the surname, many Irish Kennicks hail from both Cork and Limerick Counties, confirming its Irish origins.
Outside of the English-speaking world, Kennick can be found in small numbers in places such as Denmark and Germany. However, its highest concentrations are found in regions with vast Irish diaspora. This is why the surname Kennick is particularly common in the United States, Ireland, and England.
Variations of the surname Kennick
The surname Kennick can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Kennick, Kenick, Kenik, Kenyk, and Kennik. These variations can be found within many different cultures, such as Irish, Scottish, German, Polish, and Czech.
One Irish variation of the Kennick surname is Kinnigh, which is thought to have been derived from the Gaelic term Cinneach, which translates to 'wise counselor.' In Scotland, the Kennick surname may appear as Kinick and Kinneoch. It is believed to have originated from the Pictish personal name conn, which translates to ‘chief.’
Variations of the Kennick surname can also be found in other countries, including Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The German variation is Kennek, while many Polish variants include Kenik, Kenikowski, and Kaniak. The Czech variations may be Kaniak or Keniak.
Regardless of the spelling or origin, all Kennick variations share the same meaning of 'wise leader.' Individuals bearing this surname are descendants of a leader or influential figure, and can trace their roots back hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Famous people with the name Kennick
- Kellen Winslow II: Professional American football tight end
- Janet Lynn Kennedy: American new media artist and art historian
- Sean Kennick: Professional American lacrosse player
- Austin Kennick: Awarded production sound mixer
- Joe Kennick: Producer, screenwriter, director, and editor
- Lia Kennick: US Army veteran, healthcare professional, and advocate of military veterans
- John Kennick: Professional basketball player
- Betty Kate Kennedy: American author and philanthropist
- Morgan Easter Kennick: Actress and model
- Sean Kennick: Former professional Major League lacrosse player