Surname Kinnamon - Meaning and Origin

Kinnamon: What does the surname Kinnamon mean?

The surname Kinnamon is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Fhionghuin". This name is composed of elements meaning ‘fair’ and ‘born’, suggesting that the original bearer of the name may have been a fair-haired or fair-complexioned individual. Over time, the surname took on various forms including Kinninmond, Kinnamund, Kinnenmont, Kinnimond, Kyninmond, and ultimately, Kinnamon, especially after families migrated to other countries, such as the United States. Due to this, the surname is most prevalent in the United States but is also found in other countries like Scotland and England. Like many last names, Kinnamon is used to connect members of a family and can convey a shared lineage or ancestry. Names also assist in identification processes in social circles and official circumstances.

Kinnamon: Where does the name Kinnamon come from?

The surname Kinnamon is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic "Cinnéide". This name combines “ceann”, meaning head, and “éidigh”, meaning ugly or wizened. Over time it was anglicized to "Kennedy," and then further modified through phonetic spellings and regional dialects to forms such as Kinnamon.

The surname saw an increase in use as families emigrated from Ireland during the potato famine in the mid-1800s, many of whom relocated to the United States. Thus, the name Kinnamon is likely to be more prevalent in areas with significant Irish immigration histories such as the United States, especially in regions such as the East Coast, Midwest, and South.

Due to variant spellings and emigration, the name Kinnamon is quite rare today. It can occasionally be found in Ireland and Scotland, but it's more common in the United States. Despite its rarity, a concentration of people with the Kinnamon surname can be found in the US state of Maryland, where it's recognized as a historically significant name.

Please note, due to its unique spelling and inconsistencies in historical record keeping, tracing the exact origins and distribution of the Kinnamon surname may vary.

Variations of the surname Kinnamon

The surname Kinnamon, predominantly found in Scotland and Ireland, has several variations and spellings as a result of translations and various dialects. It is assumed to have derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Cionaoith.

Common variants and spellings include: Kinnaman, Kinneman, Kinnomon, Kinneman, Kenniman, Kinaman, and Kynnamon. Each variant carries slight differences in pronunciation and spelling but essentially originates from the same root.

In Scotland and Ireland, it's common for surnames to have prefixes 'Mac' or 'O', which mean 'son of' and 'grandson of' respectively. Hence, other variants like MacKinnamon or O'Kinnamon might be observed.

Further, Kinnamon might also be anglicized from different surnames in different Gaelic dialects. Therefore, surnames that are phonetically similar, or that have a similar meaning could also be considered variants. For instance, the surname ‘Cinnamon’ is also considered a variant of Kinnamon.

Each of these versions may carry a unique and personal story of its ancestor, depicting their identity, occupation, or place of residence, while still preserving the essence of its original root, 'Kinnamon'.

Famous people with the name Kinnamon

• Charles Kinnamon (first U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, 1976-78)
• Lindsay Kinnamon (Australian Writer and Screenwriter)
• Kory Kinnamon (American Wrestler)
• Stephen Kinnamon (American historian specializing in the Middle East and the Arab world)
• Abel Franklin Kinnamon (American Lawyer and Politician)
• Don Kinnamon (American Football Player)
• Maurice Kinnamon (American professional golfer)
• Ron Kinnamon (American College Basketball Coach)
• Janell Kinnamon (American Figure Skater)
• William Leonard Kinnamon (American Methodist/Evangelical Church Clergyman)

Other surnames

KinnamanKinnamont