Surname Kenion - Meaning and Origin
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Kenion: What does the surname Kenion mean?
The surname Kenion is of English origin and is categorized primarily as a locational surname. It derives from places named Kenyon in Lancashire and Cheshire. The place name 'Kenyon' was developed from the Old English personal name 'Cena' combined with 'tun', which means farm or settlement. So, one interpretation of the Kenion name could be ‘Cena’s farm’ or ‘Cena’s settlement.’ Given the historical lack of standardized spelling, Kenion is one of the variant forms of Kenyon. The use of family names like Kenion that derived from locations became common after the Norman Conquest in 1066, as a way to keep track of people from certain areas. Often individuals bearing the surname Kenion might trace their ancestry back to individuals who either lived in or were associated with these areas in England.
Order DNA origin analysisKenion: Where does the name Kenion come from?
The surname Kenion is of English origin and is associated with the Old English personal name 'Cenwine', which means 'royal friend'. It is suggested that the name has a geographical root from a place named Kenyon in Lancashire, England. The term 'Kenyon' translates to 'high place' or 'bright place'.
The surname through immigration and population movements over centuries can now be found in various parts of the world. However, it is most common in the United States, England, and other English-speaking countries. It is not considered a particularly common surname. Despite its geographical dispersions, the highest concentration of people with the Kenion surname is still in England, specifically the North West region, continuing its connection to its Lancashire origins. The spread of the surname in the United States is relatively dispersed, but appears more frequently in states such as New York, North Carolina, and Florida.
It's important to note that spellings of surnames may have changed over time, and the Kenion surname may have variations including Kenyon, Kennion, Kenion, Kenyon, and others.
Variations of the surname Kenion
The surname Kenion might have different variants and spellings due to regional pronunciation differences, language translations, or even simple misspellings. Some potential spelling variations could include Kennion, Kenyon, Kenyan, Kennyon, Kenyonne, Kennyonn, Kenionn, and Kinyon.
It is important to acknowledge that these are not necessarily confirmed variations of the name Kenion, but potential spellings based on phonetics. The surname seems to be of English origin and might be linked to the name Kenyon, which is a place name in Northwest England.
As with many surnames, geographical mobility, changes in language, and a lack of standardized spelling in earlier times have all contributed to the development of variants, so it's possible that other, less obvious versions of Kenion exist. Researching specific genealogical or historical records would provide the most accurate and comprehensive understanding of the name and its variations.
Surnames of similar origin and meaning could include other English names derived from location-based surnames. For instance, according to House of Names, similar families to the Kenyon family, are the Rutherford, Openshaw, Langshaw, Whiteley, Staunton, Plaxton, and Kenrick families. This does not necessarily mean the surnames are variant spellings, rather, they share similar roots or naming conventions.
Famous people with the name Kenion
- John Kenion, famed British actor who starred in films such as Angels with Dirty Faces and The Third Man.
- Gary Kenion, bassist of the English punk-rock band, The Damned.
- Braden Kenion, former player for the Arizona Cardinals NFL team.
- Philip Hawkins Kenion, former mayor of Newark, New Jersey.
- Graham Kenion, British documentary filmmaker best known for his work on the TV series World’s Craziest Fools.
- Matthew Kenion, American actor who appeared in films such as The Heat and Entourage.
- Janice Kenion, American actress best known for her roles on the TV shows Modern Family and Days of Our Lives.
- Stephen Kenion, British actor who starred in the film series, The Fast and the Furious.
- Christopher Kenion, British actor who appeared in films such as The French Connection and The Hours.
- Lee Kenion, former player of the Leicester City Football Club in the English Premier League.