Surname Kinnard - Meaning and Origin
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Kinnard: What does the surname Kinnard mean?
The surname Kinnard is of Scottish origin and is believed to be geographical, derived from the Gaelic "ceann-ard", which translates to "high head" or "high land". It is likely the name was originally used to denote a person who lived on a highlands or high-landed region. This name is also often associated with the region of Kinnaird in Eastern Scotland. As it is common with many geographical surnames, variations of Kinnard exist such as Kinnaird, Kinaird, and Kennerd. These variations arose due to differences in regional dialects and phonetics over time. Like many ancient surnames, tracing the precise origin of Kinnard can be intricate, yet it plays a crucial role in genealogical studies and understanding the historical distribution and migration patterns of families bearing this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisKinnard: Where does the name Kinnard come from?
The surname Kinnard is predominantly Scottish and Irish in origin. It is believed to be derived from the Scottish place name, Kinnaird, which is found in different areas across Scotland including Perthshire and Angus. The name Kinnaird itself comes from the Gaelic words "ceann" meaning head or top and "àrd" meaning high, which combined, depicts something akin to a high hill or headland.
In the past, the surname was associated with the Scottish clan Kinnaird, who were known for their feudal barony in the parish of Inchture, Perth and Kinross, Scotland.
Today, the surname Kinnard isn't particularly common. The surname has spread globally over centuries with migration and colonization but isn't prevalent in any specific region. The majority of people carrying the surname Kinnard are found in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom and Canada. Notably, its presence in Scotland, the originating country, is modest. Many variations of the surname, such as Kinnaird, Kennard, Kinard, and others, are also found worldwide.
Variations of the surname Kinnard
The surname Kinnard is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic "ceann ard," denoting someone who lived on high land or in a high place.
Several variants and different spellings for the surname Kinnard have been documented. Some of these variations include Kinnaird, Kynnard, Kynard, Kinnart, Kinard, Kindred, and Kynnaird. There are even more variations with a similar origin, such as Kynaird and Kynhardt. Some surnames look visually different but are phonetically quite the same, such as Kenward and Kennard.
In addition, this surname can sometimes be found as a first name, often given in honor of a maternal or paternal ancestor.
In terms of regional differences, the spelling Kinnard, for example, is more common in the United States, while the variant Kinnaird is more prevalent in Scotland.
These variations are likely due to differences in regional dialects and phonetic spellings over time and geographic location. Many times, as families emigrated to new countries, their surnames were altered to fit the phonetic spelling or pronunciation in the new language.
Famous people with the name Kinnard
- Tracey Kinnard: Singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California.
- Mary Anne Kinnard: former president of Liberty University in Virginia.
- Kenneth Kinnard: Hugo Award-winning science fiction writer.
- Adam Kinnard: former head of the Department of Justice in South Africa.
- Jeff Kinnard: nationally syndicated sports radio host.
- Virginia Kinnard: four-time Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee
- Pat Kinnard: Grammy Award-winning bluegrass singer/songwriter.
- Josh Kinnard: Pga golfer.
- Paul Kinnard: former Major League Baseball coach.
- April Kinnard: former beauty pageant contestant and television host.