Surname Kendall - Meaning and Origin
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Unmasking the Kendall Lineage: A Deep Dive into Ancestry and Identity through iGENEA DNA Testing
Unravelling my ancestral roots through iGENEA DNA testing unraveled a profound narrative of my familial history, shaping a broader understanding of the Kendall surname. The discovery of a deep Western European and Celtic lineage has transformed my perception of my family identity, connecting it deeply to Celtic values and resilience.
D. Kendall
read moreKendall: What does the surname Kendall mean?
Kendall is a surname of English origin. It’s derived from a place-name in Northwest England in the county of Cumbria, formerly known as Westmorland. The name Kendall translates to "Valley of the River Kent," a river that flows through the town of Kendall. The word is broken down into two Old Norse terms, ‘kent’ which is the name of the river and ‘dalr’ that means valley. In the past, residents often took the name of where they lived as their surname which led to people from this area being known as Kendall. As people moved and migrated, they took the surname with them spreading its use. Over time, Kendall has also been used as a first name. Today, the name is found throughout English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisKendall: Where does the name Kendall come from?
The surname Kendall originated from England. It is derived from a place name in Cumbria, formerly known as Westmorland. The name comes from two Old Norse words 'keld', meaning spring, and 'dalr', meaning valley, therefore, it can be translated as "the valley of the spring". The town Kendall, likely the source of the surname, was an important center for the wool trade in the Middle Ages.
Primarily, it is found in English-speaking countries today. It’s most common in England and the United States. There are also significant populations of people with the last name Kendall in Australia, Canada, and South Africa.
Despite the surname's British origins, according to ancestry data, there are over 50,000 historical documents with Kendall on Ancestry, with 70,000 census and voter lists, and over 15,000 military records available for the last name Kendall in the United States. This suggests a fairly widespread distribution in America. Furthermore, recent years have seen the fame of the name Kendall skyrocket due to the prominence of American television personality and model Kendall Jenner.
Variations of the surname Kendall
The surname Kendall has its roots in old Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It's derived from when the family lived in the market town of Kendal in Cumbria. The last name Kendall has been spelled in various ways throughout history. Some of the most common variants of Kendall include Kendal, Kindell, Kindel, Kendel, Kendell, Kendale, and Kendell.
Due to migration and the evolution of language, different branches of the family can often end up with different spellings of the same surname. As such, it's also important to consider the Scottish variants of the name Kendall, which include MacKendall and MacKendal. These forms point towards Scottish ancestry, and they denote 'son of Kendall.'
Because of their phonetic similarities, surnames like Kindle, Kendle, and Cundall may also have the same origin as Kendall.
The surname Kendall may get confused with or get changed to similar sounding names like Kendell, Kendoll, Kendel, or Kendle over time and space. These variances in spelling often occurred due to inconsistent spelling rules, the mixing of languages, and changes in regional dialects. The surname's spelling might also be influenced by literacy levels and translation efforts in different geographical locations.
The use of double letters is quite common, so spellings like Kendell, or even Kendalle, can be found.
Famous people with the name Kendall
- Kendall Jenner: an American model, social media influencer, celebrity, entrepreneur, and media personality.
- Harry Kendall: English poet and songwriter of the 18th and 19th centuries.
- William Kendall: an English landowner and politician who served in the Parliament of England in 1654.
- William Leighton Kendall: English journalist and author, best known for his work as a war correspondent in the Boer War and World War I.
- John Kendall: English composer and conductor of the 19th century.
- Jayne Kendall: British actress who appeared in several films and television series during the 1960s and 70s.
- Daniel Kendall: an American Jesuit theologian, prolific author, and pastor who taught theology at Fordham University.
- Kenneth Kendall: British newsreader, journalist, television presenter, and actor.
- Kathryn H. Kendall: an American business consultant and non-profit executive.
- Norman Kendall: former American baseball player who played for the St. Louis Browns in the Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1937 to 1945.