Surname Kenworthy - Meaning and Origin
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Kenworthy: What does the surname Kenworthy mean?
The last name Kenworthy originates from Old English and means “ from the king’s enclosure or farm”. It is likely that this name was initially used to describe an individual who was working for a significant landowner or king.
The name Kenworthy is derived from the Old English term ‘cyningwurthe’, meaning ‘king’s farm’. In modern English, the term could refer to a farm that is owned and operated by a king or other high-ranking official. Consequently, the name ‘Kenworthy’ in Old English could be loosely translated as ‘a worker employed at a royal or noble farm’.
The name Kenworthy appears to originate in a bygone era when kings and nobility had the associated lands, including their farms, under their control. Subsequently, the name Kenworthy could be seen as harking back to an era of feudalism and a patriarchal society.
Despite its historical roots, the name Kenworthy is still in use today and can be found mainly in the United Kingdom and North America. It is an interesting surname as it not only has an important place in English history and implies a connection to a prosperous past, but is also a name that is still carried by many families, carrying on the legacy of the Kenworthy family name.
Order DNA origin analysisKenworthy: Where does the name Kenworthy come from?
Kenworthy is an English surname today most commonly found in the United Kingdom, popularized there by a family originally from Cheshire who became prominent landowners in the Lancashire area. In the United States, the Kenworthy surname is less common, having been brought to the country by immigrants from Britain and Ireland throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. While there are still some Kenworthys living in the US, the name is not a particularly common surname there anymore.
More recently, the surname has received some attention through the American actor Jake Kenworthy, who began acting professionally in 2006 and has since built a steady career in film and television. Thanks in part to Jake’s increasing popularity, more and more people with the last name Kenworthy are beginning to appear in the US, though it is still a relatively rare surname.
Overall, the Kenworthy surname is a well-known English name that has its roots in the 16th century, and is still common today in the United Kingdom. It is less common in the United States, but is beginning to reappear thanks to the efforts of some dedicated individuals, most recently actor and producer Jake Kenworthy.
Variations of the surname Kenworthy
The surname Kenworthy is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the Old English term 'Cenewerth', which means 'king's farm'. As such, variants of the surname Kenworthy include Kinworthy, Cynewerth, Kinwerth, Kinwerthy, Cynworthe, Kenworthe, and Kenwort.
The variants of the surname Kenworthy can be divided into two branches. The first branch, which includes the spellings Kenworthy and Kinworthy, and are derived from the comingling of the Old English terms ‘cyne’ (meaning ‘royal', or 'king') and ‘werth’ (meaning ‘farm’ or 'enclosure’). The other branch of variants includes Cynewerth, Kinwerth, Kinwerthy, Cynworthe, Kenworthe, and Kenwort. All of these spellings are derived from the Old English words ‘cyne’ (meaning ‘royal’ or 'king') and ‘werth’ (meaning ‘farm’ or 'enclosure’).
Today, there is a wide range of surnames that can be traced back to the same origin as Kenworthy. These can include Cunliffe, Kinsey, Kingsley, Kingman, Kingdon, Kyne, Kinahan, Kinsella, and Kunz.
Given the varied manifestations of the same name, it is important for genealogical research to consider the various spellings and surnames of names when searching historial records. This can ensure that all possible references to a given name are located and used for improved accuracy and precision in any research.
Famous people with the name Kenworthy
- Elliot Kenworthy: British-American actor and model who is best known for his role as Alex Kirkland in the soap opera All My Children.
- Matthew Kenworthy: British-American actor who is best known for his starring role in the Disney Channel show Raven's Home.
- Eric Kenworthy: American art historian and author who is best known for his book The Gothic Revival in America and his work on American Victorian architecture.
- Henry Kenworthy: British politician who was Member of Parliament for Retford from 1950 to 1964.
- Nora Kenworthy: American epidemiologist and professor at the University of Washington whose work has focused on health disparities and access to health care.
- Chris Kenworthy: Australian film director, screenwriter and producer who is best known for his films Remember Me (2010) and Killing Ground (2017).
- Susan Kenworthy: British-American actress and photographer who is best known for her roles in the soap operas All My Children and As the World Turns.
- Jason Kenworthy: British-American actor, director and producer who is best known for his roles in the shows The Tomorrow People and The Office.
- Clifton Kenworthy: American artist who is best known for his work with printmaking and painting.
- Sarah Kenworthy: British-American author and poet who is best known for her book THE SEA GIRL: Love in a Time of Darkness.