Surname Kenrick - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kenrick: What does the surname Kenrick mean?
The surname Kenrick is of Welsh origin and derives from an old personal name, Cynwrig, that combines two elements: "cyn," meaning "chief," and "wrig," meaning "hill." Therefore, Kenrick roughly translates to "Chief of the Hill." It may have initially been assigned to tribal chiefs or leaders residing on hilltops. Over time, as those bearing the name emigrated, it became more widespread, particularly in England and Ireland. The surname's spelling variations include Kinrick, Kenwricks, Kenwrick, and others, reflecting the regional and historical differences. Thus, the Kenrick surname has a significant link to Welsh culture and the conventions of ancient naming in connection to geographical features and hierarchical positions.
Order DNA origin analysisKenrick: Where does the name Kenrick come from?
The last name Kenrick is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from two Old English elements: the personal name "Cyn(e)ric" which means 'royal power' and the suffix '-son', meaning the 'son of Cyn(e)ric'. Fernival Kenric was the first recorded spelling of the family name and was dated around 1273, during the reign of King Edward I.
In the modern context, the surname Kenrick is predominantly found in England, especially within the Midlands. Around the 17th century, there were significant migrations of Kenrick families to Ireland following the political turmoil in England. Additionally, with European exploration and colonization of the Americas, many Kenricks emigrated to the United States, specifically to Massachusetts, during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Today, you can find concentrations of individuals with the surname Kenrick mainly in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the density is not overly significant, indicating the name is not common or widespread but rather particular to specific families and their descendants.
Variations of the surname Kenrick
Kenrick is an English surname. Multiple forms, spellings, and surnames of the same origin have emerged over the years. Variants primarily include Kendrick, Kendricks, Kendrik, and Kendric.
Alternate, but less common spellings may include Kinrick, Kynrick, Kunrick, or Kndrick.
The surname Kenrick might descend from other surnames such as Kinrick, Kenwrick or Kennrich. These variations have likely evolved due to regional accents and spelling inconsistencies in early historical records.
The name is derived from the Old English personal names "Cyneric" or "Cenric", which means royal power. The "K" and "C" in these names were often used interchangeably in early English, leading to further variations in the spelling.
The surname may also have different forms depending on region or country, for example in Wales there is an equivalent Welsh surname "Cynwrig".
However, it should be noted that while these variants may be related, it's not always an indication of shared ancestry or familial relationship. Some people may have these surnames due to coincidental similarities, or due to cultural or linguistic differences, and not because of a shared ancestor.
Famous people with the name Kenrick
- Mark Kenrick: a former East German footballer.
- Jacob Kenrick: the winner of the 2009 British National Championship in Inline Speed Skating.
- Dale Kenrick: a British actor, writer, and producer whose credits include films such as iPhone Ashes and Requiem For Detroit.
- Debbie Kenrick: a British-born comedian, writer, and presenter for the BBC's The One Show.
- John Kenrick: an English theatre historian and authority on musicals who writes regularly for Playbill.com.
- Major William Kenrick: a retired British Army officer who served as Chief of the General Staff from 1937 to 1939.
- Seth Kenrick: an American businessman who was the president of the Cincinnati Freemasons for six years.
- Thomas Kenrick: an English bishop and theologian who was appointed Bishop of Lincoln in 1787.
- Francis Kenrick: a Roman Catholic prelate who was the third Archbishop of Philadelphia from 1851 to 1863.
- Michael Kenrick: an American Philosopher who is a Professor of Philosophy and Cognitive Science at the University of Washington.