Surname Kenifick - Meaning and Origin

Kenifick: What does the surname Kenifick mean?

The surname Kenifick is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "O'Ceanfhaith". The "O" prefix typically means "descendant of", while "Ceanfhaith" is composed of the elements "ceann", meaning "head", and "faith", meaning "battle". Thus, the last name Kenifick can be interpreted to mean "the descendant of the battle's head" or "descendant of the head of battle”, which suggests that the name-bearers might have been leaders or chieftains in battles during ancient times. This surname is predominant in the county of Cork, Ireland. Like many surnames, over time and with emigration, there have been various spellings such as Kenefick, Kennefick, and others. It is important to note that surname meanings can evolve and differ over time, depending upon the cultural, historical, and geographical context.

Kenifick: Where does the name Kenifick come from?

The surname Kenifick is Irish in origin, believed to be an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Ó Cionaoith", composed of elements that signify "descendant of Cionaoith". The exact meaning of Cionaoith is not very clear.

As a surname, it is not very widespread and remains rather rare but can be found in countries where Irish people have historically emigrated to. In particular, it can be found in the United States and Australia, but also to a lesser extent in England. However, its highest concentration still remains in Ireland, specifically in areas around County Cork. The Great Famine in the mid-19th century led many Irish families including the Kenificks to emigrate abroad for a better life. The variations of the Kenifick surname, such as Kenefick, Kennifick, and others also exist due to the diverse spellings that occurred when the original Gaelic names were translated to English.

Variations of the surname Kenifick

The surname Kenifick is of Irish origin. Apart from the most common spelling "Kenifick", other possible spellings and variants of the name include Kenefick, Kennifick, Kennefick, Kenefic, Kennefic, and Kinnefick.

The encapsulated local surnames in Ireland were formed from the names of original Irish clans and family groups; frequently from a clan chieftain or a warrior. The name Kenifick is derived from "Mac Cionnaith", in Gaelic, meaning "son of Cionnaith", where the personal name Cionnaith is Anglicized as "Kenneth".

The surname Kenifick originated from the southern region of Ireland, particularly Cork, where the family held a family seat as early chiefs of the Muskerry Clan. Due to the lack of standardization in spelling as surnames began to be documented, these different spellings and variations of the same surname arose.

It is important to note that the surname's spelling may have been changed over time due to demographics and language development, with variations often being a result of anglicisation or due to immigration and transcription errors.

Famous people with the name Kenifick

• Kristina Kenifick: is a professional American ballroom dancer and World Dance Champion.
• Bernard Kenifick: is an Irish artist, painter and sculptor known for his abstract style.
• Amber Kenifick: is a model, actress and humanitarian who has appeared in international television commercials and fashion campaigns.
• Tony Kenifick: is an Irish singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
• Jack Kenifick: is a professional surfer and stand-up paddleboarder from Australia.
• Kristen Kenifick: is a renowned American fashion designer best known for her stylish and timeless pieces.
• Will Kenifick: is a popular actor and film producer, best known for “Transatlantic” and “Jackie Brown.”
• Rory Kenifick: is an American documentary filmmaker and author on contemporary Native American life.
• Sara Kenifick: is an accomplished competitive ice skater with two World Championships.
• Simon Kenifick: is a promoter and author of “The Boombox Diaries.”

Other surnames

Kenific