Surname Kent - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling Ancestry Beyond Expectations: The DNA Test That Reinvented My Understanding of The Kents
Uncovering hidden insights into my family's history through a DNA test at iGENEA drastically changed my understanding of my overall lineage beyond the Kents- revealing unexpected Scandinavian and Jewish Ashkenazi descent, reshaping my self-identity.
R. Kent
read moreKent: What does the surname Kent mean?
Kent is an English surname with multiple potential origins. The most accepted theory suggests it originates from the Old English 'Cantus', meaning 'border' or 'edge', and was likely initially given as a geographical name to someone living near a border or edge.
The name Kent is also associated with the county of Kent in England. The county was known as "Cantium" by the Romans, meaning "edge" due to its location at the southeastern edge of England. The surname could have been given to someone hailing from the county.
Moreover, Kent might have derived from the Welsh word 'cainc' or the Gaelic word 'ceann', both translated to 'chief' in English. In this case, the surname may have started as a title given to someone in a leadership position.
Remember, the interpretation of surnames can varie massively based on cultural, geographical and historical contexts. Therefore, these are projected meanings and the true origin may differ for different families.
Order DNA origin analysisKent: Where does the name Kent come from?
The surname Kent originated from England. It is a locational surname derived from the county of Kent in South-Eastern England. The county's name is said to come from the ancient Celtic word "Cantus" meaning "rim" or "border", which fits as Kent is one of the oldest and easternmost parts of England.
Having been adopted by families who originally lived in, or owned lands in Kent, the surname became increasingly popular during medieval times when individuals moved from their homeland and were then identified by the name of their birthplace.
Today, the surname Kent is common in several Anglophone countries. According to data, it's popular in the United States with more than 60,000 bearers of the surname. It's also common in England, Canada, and Australia. It is well-distributed in these regions due to the migration of people from Kent during the colonial era. Notable people with the surname include Clark Kent, the fictional character from Superman, and former Secretary of State of the United States, Thomas Kent.
Variations of the surname Kent
The surname Kent originated as a geographic name referring to the county of Kent in England. As such, it has fewer variants compared to other surnames derived from occupations or personal characteristics. Nonetheless, some variations, possibly due to regional accents and varied spelling over centuries, do exist. These include Kents, Kentt, Kenton, and possibly even the surnames Kentish and Kennett, although the latter two also originated as distinct place names within Kent.
Of these, Kenton originates from several places named Kenton in Devon, Suffolk, and Middlesex. Kennett may have evolved from the village of Kennett in Cambridgeshire, which was originally recorded as Chenet in the Domesday Book of 1086.
It's worth noting that Kent as a surname could also have originated independently in other places such as Germany, where it would have different spelling variations and derivations. In some cases, similar or identical surnames from different regions or countries could blur together in countries like America, producing even more variation. Rare spellings such as Kente or Kentz may also be encountered.
Famous people with the name Kent
- Dean Kent: Scottish professional footballer who was the player-assistant manager at Preston North End.
- Bill Kent: New Zealand former long-distance runner and member of the 1952 British Empire and Commonwealth Games team.
- Jana Kent: American children's book author.
- Keith Kent: English former footballer who played as a midfielder for Bolton Wanderers, Arsenal, and Stoke City amongst others.
- Tyne Kent: American actress who appeared in shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and American Crime Story.
- Brian Kent: English former professional footballer who made over 350 appearances in the Football League and made three international appearances for Northern Ireland.
- Marc Albrighton: English professional footballer who currently plays for Leicester City.
- Brendan Kent: Canadian actor and comedian best known for his role in the television series Bored to Death.
- Joan Kent: American radio and television broadcaster best known for hosting the radio program The Joan Kent Show.
- Buffy Sainte-Marie: Cree singer-songwriter, visual artist, storyteller, and activist from Canada.