Surname Kenerney - Meaning and Origin

Kenerney: What does the surname Kenerney mean?

The last name Kenerney is believed to either originate from the Irish Gaelic surname "Mac an Airchinnigh" or from the Norman-French name "Kanerer". The surname first appeared in Ireland during the 13th century where it was anglicized to Kenerney.

The original form of the name is believed to mean "son of the Arch-King", in reference to the High King of Ireland, a position that existed up until the 12th century and was the highest title achievable in the Gaelic Kingdoms of medieval Ireland. This name may also originate from the Norman-French roots Kanerer, which likely descended from the Old French words "caner" meaning "to sing," in reference to someone who was known as being able to sing well.

The surname Kenerney is most common in County Cork and County Kerry, located in the southwestern part of Ireland. Kenerney is a common spelling of the name, and other spellings may include Kenerny, Kenernye, Kinnerney, Kinnerny, Kinnernye, Kenarney, and Kinarney.

The Kenerney family has made an impact in many aspects of the world, including politics, writing, and sports. Notable Kenerneys have included Fred Kenerney, an Australian professional soccer player; Michael Kenerney, an American politician; and Nicholas Kenerney, an American novelist.

The surname Kenerney is thought to have a long and distinguished history that can be traced back centuries to the High King of Ireland. It is not known for certain if it originally meant "son of the Arch-King" or descended from Old French words meaning "to sing," but regardless of its origin, it has made an impact on many aspects of the world.

Kenerney: Where does the name Kenerney come from?

The last name Kenerney is most common today in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The surname has been found in Ireland since the Middle Ages, when it was first recorded in 1172 as a variant of Kinnefry. Through the centuries, Kenerney was used to identify family members within Irish clans and was most common in Ulster, particularly in County Monaghan.

Today, the Kenerney name is still primarily found in the Emerald Isle, especially in and around County Monaghan. The last name also remains common in the United Kingdom. Data from the 1881 British Census revealed the Kenerney surname to be most popular in the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire. Additionally, the Kenerney name appears throughout the United States, where the largest population is found in Massachusetts.

The Kenerney surname is derived from the Old Irish 'O'Cinneide', which includes the personal name 'Cinneidigh' which has various meanings, including "ugly-headed". It is thought that the Gaelic version of the name was modified to become Kenerney over time.

Variations of the surname Kenerney

Kenerney is a popular Irish surname, with a variety of related spellings and variants.

Kenerney is the most common form of the surname, while Kennerney is the second most popular variant. Kinnearney, Kinearney, Kinnerney, Kinerny, and Kinereny are all variants of the same original surname.

Derivatives of Kenerney can be found in various places throughout Ireland. The surname is especially prevalent in the counties of Cork and Kerry, with many families of this name found in both areas. Other areas where Kenerney and related surnames are found include Clare, Galway, Limerick, Mayo, and Roscommon.

In the United States, the name is also spelled and pronounced as Kennerney. It is seen in Illinois, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York.

Other related surnames are Mckennerney, O'Kenerney, and O'Kinnerney. While these are all variant spellings, they all originated from the original Irish name.

In conclusion, Kenerney and its various spellings and surnames have been around for centuries, originating from Gaelic roots. These are popular names in parts of Ireland and the United States, and are often linked with each other through their common origins.

Famous people with the name Kenerney

• Daniel Kenerney: former professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers.
• James Kenerney: Major League Baseball player and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Paul Kenerney: Hollywood actor, starring in films such as Spy Kids, Armageddon and Titanic.
• Colm Kenerney: Irish Pacebowler and former professional cricketer.
• Mary Kenerney: American poet and author of numerous collections of poetry.
• Janine Kenerney: Canadian Olympic gold medalist and World Cup ski racer.
• Michael Kenerney: American composer, arranger and conductor of both classical and popular music.
• Kimberly Kenerney: founding member and former CEO of Pinterest.
• Thomas Kenerney: engineer and philanthropist, responsible for the design of the iconic Chrysler Building.
• Patrick Kenerney: Founder and CEO of the Kenerney Corporation, a private real estate development company.

Other surnames

Kenerny